WARSCEWICZELLA WENDLANDI DISCOLOR.
[[Plate 126].]
Native of Costa Rica.
Epiphytal. Stemless, ebulbous, producing only a tuft of leaves and flowers from the crown of the roots. Leaves cuneate, oblong-ligulate, acute, somewhat plicate, broad and channelled below, amplectant at the base, of a light green colour. Scapes solitary, issuing from the leaf axils, about half as long as the leaves, and furnished in the upper part with a two-valved bluntish spathe, which is rather shorter than the united ovary and pedicel. Flowers moderately large, measuring from four to five inches in their broadest diameter, stellately expanded, interesting from the peculiar form of their lip, and pleasing from the contrast of their colours; sepals lanceolate, “white,” the dorsal one erect, the lateral ones somewhat deflexed; petals of the same form and colour, spreading, somewhat twisted; lip projected forwards, ovate-cordate, the apex recurved, about an inch and a half broad, the edges multilobulate and much undulated, white, the centre plane, with at large oblong blotch of violet-purple marked longitudinally by about seven darker purple lines, the base constricted, white, with a short chin behind; frill or ruff small, with about seven to nine violet-purple stripes, semilunate, gradually diminishing backwards till lost in the chin or mentum. Column white, thickened upwards, semiterete.
Warscewiczella Wendlandi, Reichenbach fil., in litteris.
Zygopetalum Wendlandi, Reichenbach fil., Beitrage zu einer Orchideenkunde Central-Amerikas, 74.
— Var. DISCOLOR, sepals and petals yellowish green.
Warscewiczella Wendlandi discolor, Reichenbach fil., in litteris ad cl., Smee.
Both by Reichenbach in his various writings, and by Bentham in the recently published Genera Plantarum, the group named Warscewiczella is included under Zygopetalum. Putting aside the question of minute botanical details, we prefer, in this case, to be rather guided by habit, since habit is so important a factor in all that concerns cultivation. Thus, while the species and varieties of Zygopetalum produce pseudobulbs, those of Warscewiczella are ebulbous, and this difference necessitates a material distinction in the mode of cultivation to be adopted for the well-being of the two groups.
The variety of Warscewiczella Wendlandi, which we now illustrate, is a well marked form as regards the distinctive colours of the sepals and the labellum or lip; it is a small plant of compact growth, taking but little room, and blooming very freely. Our drawing was taken from a healthy specimen in the interesting collection of A. H. Smee, Esq., of the Grange, Carshalton, who is trying many experiments in Orchid culture, some of which we have no doubt will succeed, and throw light on obscure points of management. The present time offers a good opportunity to make experiments with Orchids, as it can be done without the risk of incurring any serious expense should they fail, for many kinds of Orchids are cheap, and of course those which are costly would not in this way be exposed to risk.
Warscewiczella Wendlandi discolor, the particular form here represented, is an evergreen plant, with light green foliage, which arises from a short stem scarcely forming a pseudobulb, and grows to the height of some six or eight inches. The flowers proceed singly from the axils of the leaves, and have the sepals and petals of a yellowish green, while the broad squarish lip, which is white at the edge where it is deeply cut and much crisped, bears a large violet blotch in the centre. The perfume is very delicious. The plant flowers during August and September, and lasts for about two weeks in beauty.
This plant is allied to the genera (or sub-genera) Bollea and Warrea, and requires the same kind of treatment as is successful with them. We have seen them grown in different ways, and thriving well, but they are plants that require careful treatment, and must never be neglected. It is necessary always to give them close attention as regards the supply of moisture at the roots, for they have no thick fleshy pseudobulbs to support them should the artificial help fail. They grow in tufts of small short crowns scarcely forming bulbs, and it is from these that the leaves are developed. Being small growing plants, we find they do well on blocks of wood, with the roots surrounded by living sphagnum moss, the blocks being suspended from the roof. They must not have too much sun; indeed, as the leaves are of a thin texture, they require shade, but with all the light that can possibly be given them without exposing them to burning sunshine. We find the cool end of the East India house to suit them, and here we give them a good supply of moisture at the roots during the summer season. They must always be kept moist, and should not even during winter be allowed to get dry, for they are nearly always growing, and so require a continual supply of sustenance. If grown in pots or in pans, they will require less moisture than when on blocks. One thing must always be borne in mind, and that is to keep them free from insects.
Epidendrum vitellium.—A very fine spike of this charming species was received by us from H. Shaw, Esq., of Buxton; it was eighteen inches in height and bore twenty-one of its orange-scarlet flowers, of good size and stout substance. This was certainly the best spike that has ever come under our notice. Mr. Shaw calls it E. vitellinum giganteum. The plant it appears has borne five spikes equally as good as the one which was sent to us. There is no doubt that it is a gigantic form of the old species, much finer than some of those called majus, which generally flower in spring and summer while this one blooms in December which fact alone makes it a valuable acquisition, as we have so few Orchids of this colour blooming at that time of year, December and January.—B. S. W.
