ODONTOGLOSSUM MACULATUM.
[[Plate 52].]
Native of Mexico.
Epiphytal. Pseudobulbs oblong, compressed, usually bearing a solitary leaf, other leaves with equitant articulated petioles investing the bulb. Leaves oblong, acute, five to seven nerved, of a parchment-like texture, and a bright green colour. Scape radical, bearing a many-flowered pendulous or semi-erect raceme, furnished with boat-shaped brownish herbaceous bracts shorter than the ovaries. Flowers prettily spotted, about two and a half inches in breadth, and upwards of three inches in depth; sepals linear-lanceolate, acuminate, green or stained with brown outside, chestnut brown within, marked with green transverse bars at the base; petals oblong undulate acuminate, chrome-yellow, thickly spotted with brownish red on the basal half; lip unguiculate, cordate acuminate, sub-crenate, of the same colour as the petals, with a concave two-valved emarginate purple-veined appendage on the claw. Column white, pubescent, obsoletely auriculate near the apex.
Odontoglossum maculatum, Lindley, Botanical Register, 1840, t. 30; Id., Folia Orchidacea, art. Odontoglossum, No. 11; Pescatorea, t. 28; Reichenbach fil., in Walpers’ Annales Botanices Systematicæ, vi., 829; Bateman, Monograph of Odontoglossum, t. 20; Floral Magazine, t. 348 (as maculosum); Williams, Orchid Grower’s Manual, 5 ed., 237.
The Odontoglossums are amongst the most popular of Orchids. They are not only esteemed for their fine showy flowers but for their long lasting qualities, and they can nearly all be grown in houses with a low temperature. The species we now bring before the notice of our readers is a most distinct and desirable one, which has been known in cultivation for many years. The drawing from which our plate was prepared was taken from a plant that flowered in the collection of W. Salt, Esq., of Ferniehurst, Shipley, Yorkshire, who has a grand lot of cool Orchids, which are, moreover, exceedingly well cultivated.
Odontoglossum maculatum is not only free but compact in its growth. It has thick fleshy pseudobulbs, and light green foliage, and the individual plants produce their sub-erect spikes of flowers at different times of the year, according to the period of the completion of their growth. The flowers are very strikingly beautiful, being of a colour that one seldom sees in Orchids, and they continue for a long time in perfection when protected against damp. The colour, however, varies in different plants. The form originally figured in the Botanical Register has the sepals green outside, and chestnut-brown within; that published in the Pescatorea has the sepals represented as brownish purple in front, paler purple behind, with green tips on both surfaces; and the form figured in the Floral Magazine, if correctly rendered, had the greenish sepals indistinctly spotted with brown.
This species, as do many other Mexican Orchids, likes a light position, with plenty of air on warm days, and a good supply of water during the growing season. Propagation is effected by division of the pseudobulbs in the usual way.
Death of Richard Barton Dodgson, Esq., Beardwood, Blackburn.—We are very sorry to have to record the death of one who has done so much for horticulture as our good friend Mr. Dodgson. All who knew him must feel deeply grieved at the loss of such an amiable and kind-hearted gentleman—for such he was, not only to us, but to all who came into contact with him; of this, the expressions of gratification that have emanated from all who have paid Mr. and Mrs. Dodgson a visit, supply abundant evidence. The reception given by him to Gardeners, Nurserymen, &c., when calling to see his collection of plants, was always a most cordial one, and whether it was to one or a dozen persons it never varied. All who were acquainted with Mr. Dodgson know how fond he was of his Plants, especially his Orchids. In the collection at Beardwood there are some of the finest specimens that can anywhere be seen, and also many rare varieties that are not to be met with elsewhere. This collection has been forming for many years, and it was always Mr. Dodgson’s study to procure the best kinds possible. Many persons will be able to recall the fine specimens exhibited from Beardwood at the Manchester, Blackburn, and Preston Shows, and will recollect that when the Royal Horticultural Society held their large Exhibition at Preston, Mr. Dodgson took most of the first class honours in the classes in which he exhibited. He was most kind and liberal to his Gardeners, giving them every encouragement in carrying out their duties, and they in their turn, were always ready to wait upon him. During his illness he would often express a wish to see his favourite plants as they came into bloom, and these were accordingly taken into his bedroom by his Gardener, and proved a great source of delight to him in the midst of his severe sufferings. We regret that the available space in the Album is so limited or we should have said more. We have figured and described from time to time some fine plants from the Beardwood collection, and we have yet other illustrations taken by our artist, which will be published at some future time. We must again express our deep and sincere regret at the loss of such a devoted patron of Horticulture.—B. S. W.
PL. 53 ADA AURANTIACA