TROPICAL AMERICAN ORCHIDS 
hardly 1 mm. wide, oblong, somewhat dilated above the 
middle, with the margin inconspicuously paucidentate, 
acute, with a broad median band of rose-purple. Labellum 
yellowish, 5 mm. long, 2 mm. wide near the middle, un- 
guiculate, with a small retrorse lobule on each side of the 
base of the claw; above the claw expanded into an oblong 
acute lamina which is truncate at the base; lamina fleshy, 
conspicuously 3-nerved, with the nerves prominent on the 
under surface. Column 2.5 mm. long, produced into a 
conspicuous foot. 
PleurothalUs hondurensis is apparently a heliophyte, and 
when exposed to strong sunlight the leaves become suffused 
with a bronzy purple hue. The flowers vary in coloration, 
but are normally yellowish, with distinct purplish stripes 
along the veins of the sepals. The petals are more or less 
hyaline, with a broad central band of carmine or rose-purple. 
Although this species was found in several localities it was 
uncommon. 
In habit P. hondurensis suggests P. polystachya A. Rich. 
& Gal. PleurothalUs verecunda SchlLr. is also closely allied, 
being very similar in habit, but different in the lateral sepals 
being less coherent and in the fleshier labellum being con¬ 
spicuously denticulate on each side at base in front of the 
claw. [Plate 15.] 
Spanish Honduras, Lancetilla Farm near Tela, Ames 
II. 204, March 16, 1923. On trees along the Tela River. 
350 feet altitude. (Type in Herb. Ames No. 27250.); Ames 
II. 180, March 11, 1923. On tree overhanging rocky bed of 
Tela River. 300 feet altitude: Cordillera de Mico Quemada 
near Progresso, on trees overhanging the Rio Pelo, Ames II. 
233, March 19, 1923. Flowers yellowish with purple stripes. 
450 feet altitude: Truxillo, Copete Farm, Ames II. 197, 
March 14, 1923. On branch of small tree in sun, leaves 
bronzy; Ames II. 200, March 14, 1923. Flowers yellow 
with purple stripe. 150 feet altitude. 
PleurothalUs periodica Ames sp. nov. Rhizoma valde 
abbreviatum. Caules secundarii dense caespitosi, valde ab- 
breviati, monophylli, vaginis nervosis obtecti. Folium an- 
21 
