'Jill-: ORCHID WORLD. 



Odontoglossum Rossii rubescens. 



HYBRIDS OF O. ROSSH. 



THE more we see of hybrids, so 

 much the more do we learn of the 

 species which made them. Until 

 the h)ljridists produced the nitcresling 

 results now included in the majority of our 

 collections, we had no idea of the dominating 

 influence which some species have over then- 

 generic relations. In some respects this may 

 be considered a favourable asset rather than 

 a disadvantage, for it allows a very large 

 number of hybrids to be placed under fairly 

 definite headings. Thus the remarkably 

 strong characters of O. Edwardii are one 

 of the easiest to distinguish, and it is now 

 a common practice to speak of the Edwardii 

 section ; just so with the Harryanum group, 

 and that mainly composed of crispum and 

 Pescatorei, while triumphans is another 

 species that produces hybrids in which its 

 evidence cannot be mistaken. 



Among the scarcer and more recent 

 productions are the hybrids of O. Rossii, 

 which form a section as distinct as any in 

 the genus. Most amateurs are so familiar 

 with the characteristics of tliis charming 

 Mexican plant that it only requires a 

 moment's consideration to decide whether 



it is iiKhidcd in the parentage of any 

 particular hybrid. Even tiie .shaix: o{ the 

 leaves, with the imd-rib showing prominently 

 I'll the inidcrsKlc, is sufriciiMit evidence for 

 sdiiic experts. 



But it is ill the flower wlx-rc the \c,il 

 beauty lies, and where the most distinct 

 characteristics are to be found. The .sei)als 

 are profusely spotted, while the petals are 

 spotted only on tlieir basal area. In all the 

 hybrids of O. Rossii the same method of 

 spotting can be seen ; in no case does the 

 spottuig e.vloiid to the tips of the petals, as 

 It does 111 the sepals. Although attempts 

 have been made to widen the petals, the 

 strong influence of Rossii prevents iniu h 

 success in this wa\' being attained. 



The labell um of this species, when 

 compared with the other segments, is large, 

 hence it makes a favourable result when in 

 conjunction with Harryanum, also noted for 

 Its fine hp. The crest on the base of the 

 labellum is generally an attractive point, and 

 in O. Rossii it is unusually so on account of 

 its bright yellow colour, which extends well 

 on the surrounding area, thus making a 

 pleasing feature in all its hybrids. 



Among ini|)(ii-tations of O. Rossii there 

 are occasionally to be found varieties with 

 rose-tinted ground colour, and these, known 

 as rubescens, have of late years been much 

 sought after by hybridists, for experience 

 shows that this character is perpetuated in 

 the offspring, thereby enhancing their value. 



Odontoglossum Aurora, illustrated in this 

 issue, was obtained by crossing Rossu 

 rubescens with O. Lambeauianum (crispum x 

 Rolfea?). It obtained a First-class Certificate, 

 R.H.S., Nov. 5th, igi2, when exhibited by 

 Messrs. Veitch, and is one of the richest 

 coloured of the ■ Rossii hybrids, the deep 

 rose-purple flowers being spotted with 

 reddish-purple. 



Odontoglossum Woodroffeae, also repro- 

 duced from the R.H.S. painting, is the 

 result of crossing Rossii rubescens and O. 

 Queen Alexandra (Harryanum x triumphans). 

 In this the sepals and petals are almost 

 covered with rich crimson-brown, with bright 

 yellow under colour ap]:)earing in a few 



