Formerly this was a very rare plant, but within the last few years it has been sent home in considerable quantities by collectors, and it has in consequence become comparatively cheap. In growth it resembles Dendrobium chrysotoxum, but the flowers are much more showy; in D. chrysotoxum they are wholly yellow, whereas in this species there is a large sanguineous purple blotch on the lip, forming a striking contrast to the rich golden yellow of the sepals and petals; in addition to this they are sweet-scented. The plant is of free-flowering habit, and when well-grown produces finely-developed flower-spikes. We have seen as many as three spikes proceeding from a single stem.

In habit of growth Dendrobium suavissimum is very compact. The stems or pseudobulbs are about a foot in height, and furnished with one or two pairs of dark green leaves at the apex. The flower-spikes proceed from the tops of the two-year-old bulbs, and average from ten to twelve inches in length. The stems will sometimes produce spikes for several years in succession. The flowers last from two to three weeks in perfection if kept from damp.

Like other Dendrobiums, this species is found growing on the trunks and branches of trees in positions where it gets plenty of light and air. With us it thrives well grown in a basket suspended near the roof, so as to obtain all the light and air possible; the bulbs thus become well matured. The best material for growing it in is sound sweet fibrous peat, with a good supply of drainage. The plants should be watered liberally at the roots during the period of growth, which is after they have done blooming. The temperature that suits them best is that of the East India-house while they are making their growth; but when the growth is completed very little water should be given them until they begin to show their spikes in spring, when it may be increased, as it will assist them to produce stronger spikes. The plant is propagated by division; two or more old bulbs should be taken off with a young growth in front. Insects should be well looked after, and when found be speedily removed.

PL. 14. TRICHOPILIA SUAVIS ALBA.

TRICHOPILIA SUAVIS ALBA.
[[Plate 14].]
Native of Central America.

Epiphytal, Pseudobulbs roundish-oblong or obcordate, thin, i.e., very much compressed, clustered, monophyllous. Leaves broadly oblong, acute, leathery in texture, almost sessile, of a pale green colour. Scapes radical, two to four-flowered, pendent. Flowers large, showy, and fragrant, each emerging from the axil of a thin ovate bract. Sepals linear-lanceolate, acute, somewhat undulated, spreading, and, as well as the similarly-formed petals, of a pure white colour; lip large, rolled up closely at the base, suddenly expanded upwards so as to become funnel-shaped, and then spread out into a large oblique limb, which is three-lobed, with the edges wavy and crisped, the middle lobe larger, slightly deflexed and emarginate or bilobed: Column elongate, terete, bearing at the back of the anther a hood of three fimbriated lobes.

Trichopilia suavis, Lindley, in Paxton’s Flower Garden, i. 44; 53, t. 11; Hooker, Botanical Magazine, t. 4654; Van Houtte, Flore des Serres, viii. 761; Lemaire, Jardin Fleuriste, iii. 277; Reichenbach fil., in Walpers’ Annales Botanices Systematicæ, iii. 553, et vi. 681.

Var. ALBA: flowers pure white, the lip with a yellow blotch in the throat.

Trichopilia suavis alba, Hort.

This plant belongs to a small genus of Vandeous Orchids, some of the species of which are exceedingly pretty, and well worthy of a place in every collection. Dr. Lindley calls Trichopilia suavis “a delicious Orchid,” and says that “the flowers emit the most delicate odour of hawthorn.” The fragrant and richly spotted flowers make it a great favourite amongst growers, and no doubt it is one of the best and most showy of the species yet known. The variety alba, of which we have now the pleasure of publishing an authentic figure, the first which has appeared, is new to cultivation, and is also extremely rare. Our plate was prepared from a specimen which flowered in the fine collection of Dr. G. Boddaert, of Ghent, Belgium, who kindly allowed us to have a drawing made from it.

Trichopilia suavis alba was imported, with the typical T. suavis, and is a compact evergreen plant, with foliage attaining from six to ten inches in height, and three inches in width, and of a light green colour. The pendent flower-scapes are produced from the base of the bulbs, and bear two or three, or sometimes four, flowers, which thus hang over the sides of the pan or basket in which the plant is cultivated. When suspended from the roof of the house they thus have a very charming appearance. The sepals and petals are pure white; the lip is white, with a pale yellow stain in the throat. The plant blossoms during May and June, and lasts about two weeks in perfection. We have flowered this variety during the present year, and it was very much admired by every one who saw it.