July 17, 1890. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
51 
curious and attractive species described below. With these may be 
grouped two other species inhabiting the Andes of Central and 
South America, one of which, Epidendrum (Nanodes) Matthewsi, 
lias been in cultivation for some time past in the Royal Gardens at 
Kew. The type species, N. discolor and N. Medusce, were doubt¬ 
fully referred to Epidendrum by Bentham, to which they conform 
as regards the union of the lip and the column, but their stems, 
prostrate in the first named species and pendulous in N. Meduste, 
furnished with fleshy glaucous leaves, impart to them a habit so 
revolute margin ; lip very large, adnate to the columu the entire 
length of the latter, with which it forms a funnel-like tube, the 
blade sub-orbicular, concave, bifid at the apex, densely and coarsely 
fringed at the margin, deep vinous purple. Column terete, green 
spotted with dark purple. 
Introduced in 1867 by Messrs. Backhouse & Son of York, from 
the Andes of Ecuador, although probably first discovered a short 
time previously by Wallis, who sent a rude sketch of the flower to 
M. Linden of Ghent, by whom it was communicated to the late 
Fig. 0.—NANODES MEDUSAS. 
distinct from all the cultivated Epidendra that for horticultural 
purposes it is better to keep them separate. 
Epidendrum (Nanodes) Medusje. —Stems tufted, quite pen¬ 
dulous, as thick as the little finger, G to 10 inches long, sheathed 
'by the imbricating bases of the leaves ; leaves fleshy, lanceolate, 
acute, 2 to 3 inches long, glaucous green ; flowers 3 inches across 
vertically, solitary or in pairs, terminal, with short terete bent 
ovaries that are pale green spotted with purple ; sepals linear- 
oblong, acute, keeled behind, vinous-red in the middle, green at the 
base and apex ; petals similar but narrower, and with slightly 
Professor Reichenbach. It flowered for the first time in this 
country in the collection of the late Mr. John Day at Tottenham, 
in the summer of 1868. It is one of the most singular amongst 
Orchids, “ ics stout culms, its pale, glaucous foliage, and the ex¬ 
traordinary appearance and lurid purple of the flower give it a most 
sinister aspect.” 
Cultural Note .—Nanodes Medusse should be grown in the 
Odontoglossum house, and receive treatment similar to that given 
to the dwarf growing Odontoglots. Pans with ample drainage or 
teak baskets that can be suspended near the roof-glass should be 
