a figure. — Ray’s Syn. p. 381. — P. caryophyllata, Bauh. Hist. v. ii. p. 777, with a 
figure. — Serapias minor, nitente flore. Johnson’s Gerarde, p. 232.; S.gario- 
phyllata, ibid. p. 223. 
Localities. — In rather moist meadows and pastures, and in heathy bogs. — More 
or less frequent in most counties of ENGLAND, WALES, and IRELAND. — Most 
abundant in SCOTLAND, where. Sir W. J. Hooker says, it scents the atmosphere 
with its fragrance. 
Perennial. — Flowers from June to August. 
Root distinctly palmate, with several long slender divisions. 
Stem from 12 to 18 inches high, upright, cylindrical below, some- 
what angular upwards, smooth, leafy, hollow. Leaves strap-spear- 
shaped, keeled, pointed, bright green ; lower ones embracing the 
stem ; upper ones sessile, decreasing in size upwards. Spike cylin- 
drical, 3 inches or more long, variable in density, but usually loose, 
many-flowered. Bracteas spear-shaped, pointed, rather longer 
than the germen. Flowers of a uniform crimson or pale purple in 
every part, without spots, very fragrant. The upper sepal (fig. 1, a.) 
and the 2 petals (fig. 1, b, b.) closely approaching, their points bent 
inwards, and covering the style and anthers. Two lateral sepals 
(fig. 1, a, a.) spreading, their margins revolute. Lip or Nectary 
(fig. l.c.) minutely downy, in 3 uniform, equal, entire, rather deep, 
flat lobes. Spur (see figs 1 & 2.) very slender, twice as long as the 
germen, pointing downwards, curved, cylindrical, pointed. The 
two cells of the anthers (fig. 3.) are perforated at the base, through 
which the naked, large, and oblong glands of the stalks of the 
pollen-masses appear. 
The great length of the slender curved spur of this species will 
readily distinguish it from most other British Orchideae. It some- 
times occurs with a white flower ; and the Rev. G. E. Smith, in 
his very interesting account of the Plants of South Kent, mentions 
a variety with spotted purple flowers having been found at the 
Cherry Garden, near Folkstone, Kent ; and a singular variety with- 
out the spur, or rather with a short mucro instead, was found by 
Mr. W. Pamplin, jun., on Juniper-hill, near Dorking, in 1833. 
Gymncidenia conopsea is an elegant and rather showy plant, and is highly 
deserving a place in the flower garden. It likes a somewhat moist and shady 
situation, but, like most other Orchideae, it is not of very easy culture. Those 
who wish for information on the subject of cultivating this curious tribe of 
plants, will do well to consult Mr. Loudon’s Gardener’s Magazine, vol. i. 
p. 464—466. ; vol. ii. p. 285. ; and vol. vii. p. 306. 
The British genera of Orchideae are thus arranged by Professor 
Lindley. 
Section I. Pollen simple, or consisting of granules in a lax state of cohesion, 
Tribe 1. Neottje*. Anther parallel with the stigma, and erect. — 1. Goody- 
era, t. 309.— 2. Spiranthes, t. 63.-3. Listera, t. 357. 
Tribe 2. A rethuseje. Anther terminal, like a lid.— 4. Corallorhiza. — 
5. Epipactis, t. 317. 
Section II. Pollen cohering in grains or masses, which are indefinite in num- 
ber, and waxy. 
Tribe 3. Ophryde^. — 6. Orchis, t. 213. — 7. Gymnadenia, t. 409.— 8. Pla- 
tanthera.—9. Peristylus, t. 387. — 10. Aceras, t. 305. — 11. Ophrys, t. 8. — 
12. Herminium, t. 295. 
Section III. Pollen cohering in grains or masses, which are definite in num- 
ber, and waxy. 
Tribe 4. Malax idee. — 13. Ma taxis, t. 394. — 14. Liparis. 
Section IV. Lateral anthers fertile, intermediate sterile and petaloid. 
Tribe 5. Cypripedie/e. — 15. Cypripedium, t. 105. 
