196 
MAXILLARIA HARRISONLE GRANDIFLORA. 
(mrs. Harrison's large-flowering maxillaria.) 
class. 
GYNANDRIA. 
NATURAL order. 
ORCHIDEiE. 
Generic Character. — Perianthemum spreading, resupinate. Labellum three-lobed in front, jointed 
with the claw of the column. Column pubescent. Pollen masses two, cleft at the back. 
Specific Character. — An Epiphyte. Leaves solitary, lanceolate. Flower Stem growing upright, usually 
shorter than the leaves, and producing two delightfully fragrant flowers. Sepals spreading, oblong, 
acuminate, of a pale cream colour. Labellum three lobed, hollow, outside pale yellow, with purple- 
red veins, middle lobe extended, purple inside, having an elevated ridge of a bright orange colour, 
reaching from the base to the middle of the lobe ; two side lobes, deep rosy purple, veined with a 
darker colour. Column pale yellow. 
Synonyms. — Dendrobium Harrisonias. — Hooker's Exot. Flor. 20. Colax Harrisonise. Lindl. Gen. 
and Sp. Orchid. 148. 
Var. Grandiflora. — Plant stronger and more upright in growth than M. Harrisoniae. Flowers very 
delicate, emitting a most delicious fragrance, and larger than those of the other species. 
This delightful variety surpasses in several respects the species to which it 
undoubtedly belongs. The fragrance of the flowers perfumes the whole house in 
which they expand. 
The plant requires the constant heat of the stove, and to be potted in pieces of 
turfy peat, well drained. See page 139 of the present volume. 
For the figure of the beautiful Orchideae I am indebted to the kindness of Richard 
Harrison, Esq., by whom the plant was introduced some years ago from Rio Janeiro, 
and in whose extensive and well cultivated collection it was most brilliantly in 
flower in May last, together with two other very distinct varieties of M. Harrisonice. 
The present plant is decidedly the finest of the three, both from the largeness of the 
flowers and its upright manner of growth. 
The generic name is given from the form of the labellum, which, when viewed 
in a particular position, has the appearance of the maxillae of some insects. 
ORDER. 
MONANDRIA. 
