THE 
FLORIST’S JOURNAL. 
August, 1845. 
THE GENUS BARKER!A. 
WITH AN ILLUSTRATION. 
The genus Barkeria, one of the most elegant of the whole 
order, was so named by Messrs. Knowles and Wescott in the 
“ Floral Cabinet,” in compliment to G. Barker, Esq., of Birming¬ 
ham, a zealous cultivator of orchidaceous plants; it is comprised 
of but three species, all of them, however, remarkable for their 
neat compact manner of growing, and very specious inflores¬ 
cence. The first introduction took place in 1836, when B . eh - 
gc vas received from Mexico. This is a beautiful plant, though 
perhaps the least interesting of the three; its flowers are rather 
less than those of the species now pourtrayed and of inferior 
brilliancy, yet possessing colours of nearly the same shades. 
B. Lindleyana , a smaller and more delicate species, bearing 
lovely dark purple flowers, was the succeeding importation, 
followed, in 18FI, by the present, B. spectabilis, from Guate¬ 
mala. This species, distinguished as it is by its more robust 
habit and manageable character, together with its comparatively 
large and lovely flowers, must be regarded as decidedly the 
finest of the genus, and quite indipensable to all collections. 
The entire genus approaches more nearly to Cattleya than 
to any other vegetable form, both in its botanical character and 
in cultivation, though there are peculiarities in both which 
readily distinguish it. It is known from Cattleya by its small, 
VOL. VI. NO. VIII. Q 
