372 The Philippine Journal of Science 1931 
Ludisia discolor A. Rich, in Blume FI. Jav. Orch. (1858) 95, t. 42, 
fig. D. 
Ludisia furetii Bi.tjmf., FI. Jav. Orch. (1858) 96, t. 34, fig. 3., 
Ludisia odorata Blume, FI. Jav. Orch. (1858) 95, t. 34, fig. 2'. 
Stems succulent, naked, procumbent, glabrous below the leaves, 
brownish purple, ascending, 7 to 10 mm in diameter. Leaves 
alternate, approximate, ovate to elliptic, acute or apiculate, 3.5 
to 7.5 cm long, 2 to 3.5 cm wide, the petioled base vaginate, 
upper surface velvety green to nearly black, with five prominent 
coral red lateral nerves (sometimes the venation reticulated; 
reticulations when present coral red), lower surface 3-nerved, 
the nerves vernonia-purple. Scape erect, terete, pale green, 
pubescent, 15 to 20 cm long; the inflorescence few-flowered; 
the bracts broadly lanceolate, shorter than the ovary. Flowers 
sessile, white except the sulphur yellow gynostemium, loosely 
arranged, odorless, 17 to 19 mm across. Ovary somewhat spir¬ 
ally twisted, white-pubescent, striped with green, about 15 mm 
long. Dorsal sepal cucullate, broadly ovate, obtuse, about 9 
mm long, 7 mm wide. Lateral sepals slightly twisted, similar 
to the dorsal sepal. Petals lanceolate-linear, obtuse, adherent 
to the dorsal sepal. Labellum unguiculate, twisted, abruptly 
2-lobed at the apex, lobes oblong, spreading. Gynostemium 
clavate, twisted. Anther horizontal, ovoid, acuminate, point 
slightly twisted; locules 2, parallel. Pollinia 2, clavate. 
Luzon, Manila, Bureau of Science orchid house, Bur. Sci. 
78902 Quisumbing, February 20, 1930. Cultivated in Mrs. 
George Fairchild’s gardens at Pasay, Rizal Province. Of Phil¬ 
ippine origin, but the locality and province unknown. This 
orchid is often classified among the “jewel orchids,” and is 
easily cultivated in pots, and reproduced by cuttings of the stem. 
It needs plenty of water. The plants flower during January 
and February. 
This species has not heretofore been recorded from the Phil¬ 
ippines, although it is known to be a native of the Malay Penin¬ 
sula and China. According to the shape and color of the leaves 
several varieties were recognized. 
Genus DENDROBIUM Swartz 
DENDROBIUM CHAMELEON Ames. var. OVATILAB1UM var. nov. Plates X, 5, and 9. 
A specie labelli lamina ovata solum differt. 
Luzon, Manila, Bureau of Science orchid house, Bur. Sci. 
77227 Quisumbing, August 12, 1929. The living specimens 
