AERIDES (from aer, the air; in reference to the power the species have of deriving their sustenance from the atmosphere). ORD. Orchideae. An extensive genus of epiphytal Orchids, confined to the tropics of the Old World, including many large and showy-flowered species. The majority of them are extremely handsome. The thick fleshy leaves are noteworthy for their characteristically distichous arrangement--that is to say, they are arranged in two opposite rows. They are usually truncate at the apex, and for the most part deeply channelled down the centre, but in some species terete or nearly cylindrical. All of them throw out large fleshy roots from various parts of their stems, by which they absorb the moisture from the atmosphere; and, in order to grow them successfully, they must be fixed upon blocks of wood. But this method should be adopted only whilst the plants are young, as it is almost an impossibility for the cultivator to maintain a sufficient amount of atmospheric moisture to meet their requirements; and, unless this is managed, the leaves will shrivel and fall off, leaving only a few at the extremity. Therefore, as soon as the plants are established upon the blocks of wood, let them be removed and potted. Fill the pot three parts full of broken potsherds and lumps of charcoal, and then use nothing but clean, living sphagnum, placing a few roots in the moss and leaving the others free. By this means a greater amount of moisture can be supplied to them, and thus beautiful and symmetrical specimens obtained. The Aerides are easily grown into handsome plants, which usually blossom profusely, and thus recommend themselves to all who cultivate Orchids. From early spring until the end of September they should be treated liberally with water, at the same time taking care never to wet the flowers. After the above-named time, a gradual diminution in the water supply to the roots should take place; and the atmosphere, too, should be less densely charged with moisture. But drought should never be carried far enough to cause the leaves to shrivel, for, if this is done, the uniformity of the specimen is marred; and, although we are quite willing to admit the possibility of the plants producing a greater quantity of flower spikes after a thorough shrivelling, we prefer to advocate the system that gives a fair amount of flower coupled with good leafage. As before remarked, the Aerides are peculiarly eastern, and therefore are usually classed amongst the Orchids which require the hottest houses. This is, in one sense, correct; yet they do not require the great amount of heat which many imagine, and which has, until recently, been given them. They must not, therefore, be excluded from the amateur's collection of Orchids. During the winter season many of the species may be kept in a temperature of 58deg. to 60deg.; whilst during the growing season the temperature may run up by sun heat without limit, so long as a free circulation of air and a sufficiency of moisture are secured. The following status of temperature may be observed: In spring, from 65deg. in the night, to 70deg. or 80deg. by day; in summer, from 70deg. in the night, to 80deg. or 85deg. through the day; in winter, about 60deg. night, and 65deg. day. AERIDES affine (related).* fl. delicate rose, produced, in great profusion, on branching spikes, which are sometimes 2ft. in length, and continue in blossom two or three weeks; the sepals and petals equal, rounded at the apex; the lip is sharply rhomboid and three-lobed, with a short spur. l. light green, about 1ft. long. h. 3ft. A very handsome species from India, forming an excellent exhibition plant. AERIDES AERIDES superbum (superb).* An improved variety, with larger and richer coloured flowers, and more compact habit. AERIDES Ballantinianum (Ballantine's). fl. variable; dorsal sepal and petals somewhat toothed; lateral sepals white, with a purple eye-blotch at the top; lip white, with orange or self-coloured side lobes, or marked with purple streaks and transverse bars, the side lobes equal to, or shorter than, the mid-lobe, which is toothed at the sides and bidentate at the top. l. rather short, bilobed. A fine species. AERIDES Bernhardianum (Bernhard's). fl., side lobes of the lip overlapping each other, the front lobe covering both in front; raceme having the appearance of that of AERIDES quinquevulnerum. l. narrow, strap-shaped. Borneo, 1885. A distinct and fine species. AERIDES Brookii (Sir A. Brooke's).* fl. purple and white; labellum bright purple; sepals and petals white, very fragrant. l. very ornamental, of a glaucous (milky green) hue. Bombay. This species, although one of the handsomest, is very rare. AERIDES Burbidgei splendens (Burbidge's splendid). fl. rich purple; side lobes of the lip ochre, spotted with brown; tip of the spur ochre. 1885. AERIDES crassifolium (thick-leaved).* This is a dwarf, densely-habited plant, with broad, thick, purple-dotted obliquely-bilobed leaves. The flowers, which are borne on long and drooping spikes, are bare-larger than those of AERIDES falcatum, which they resemble in form, and have the segments tipped with rich purple or amethyst, the centre or throat of the flower being ivory-white. Compared with AERIDES falcatum, the spur is here bent under at an angle, while in that plant it is straight; the side laciniae of the lip are much broader and shorter in the present plant, and the two keels on the lip here stand close together at the base, and become divergent, whilst in falcatum they are distant at the base, and become convergent near the middle of the lip. This species is described as being the best in the genus. It may be grown near the glass, suspended in a basket. Burmah, 1877. AERIDES crispum (curled).* fl. white, suffused with purplish rose, nearly 2in. in diameter; sepals and petals ovate, acute; lip three-lobed, the middle lobe being very large, toothed at the base, and fringed at the margin; the horn-like spur is slightly incurved; racemes ascending, more than double the length of the leaves, many-flowered. l. deep green, flat and broad, blunt at the ends, and two-lobed, about 4in. or 5in. long. Bombay, 1840. Lasts a long time in beauty. AERIDES crispum Lindleyanum (Lindley's). A robust-growing variety, producing a large, much-branched panicle of flowers; sepals and petals white; lip large, bright rich rose-coloured. AERIDES crispum Warneri (Warner's).* The leaves are smaller, and more slender than in the species; the sepals and petals are white, with a soft, rich, rose-coloured lip. AERIDES cylindricum (cylindric).* fl. white and pink, as large as those of AERIDES crispum; sepals and petals crispy. l. elongate, subulate terete, 4in. to 6in. long. East Indies. A very rare and distinct species. SYN. AERIDES vandarum. AERIDES dasycarpum (thick-fruited). fl. brownish, rosy. India, 1865. AERIDES dasypogon. See Sarcanthus erinaceus. AERIDES difforme (deformed). fl. green and brown. India, 1865. AERIDES dominianum (Dominy's).* This is a garden hybrid between AERIDES Fieldingii and AERIDES affine, with the colour of the former, but markings and shape of the latter. Very rare. AERIDES falcatum (sickle-leaved).* fl. sepals and petals white, dotted with reddish crimson, and tipped with soft rose; lip white at the sides, with a rosy-crimson centre; spur short, parallel with the lip; racemes pendulous, many flowered. l. closely set upon the stem, peculiar blue-green, coriaceous, obtuse and mucronate. This species is very closely allied to AERIDES crassifolium. SYN. AERIDES Larpentae. AERIDES falcatum compactum (compact). A variety differing from the type principally in its shorter inflorescence, shorter and broader leaves, and thicker and stronger stems. AERIDES falcatum expansum (expanded). A synonym of AERIDES expansum. AERIDES Fieldingii (Fielding's).* The Fox-brush AErides. fl. white, numerous, large, beautifully mottled with bright rose color; the much branched racemes are 2ft. to 3ft. long, and continue flowering three or four weeks. l. 8in. to 10in. long, in some plants light green, and in others dark green; long, broad, thick, and fleshy, obliquely two-lobed at the apex. h. 3ft. to 4ft. Assam. AERIDES formosum (beautiful). fl. white, spotted, disposed in graceful, pendent spikes; lip trifid, beautifully coloured with amethyst. 1882. A handsome hybrid, supposed to have been bred between AERIDES falcatum and AERIDES odoratum. AERIDES Godefroyanum (Godefroy's). fl. light rosy-white, streaked and spotted with amethyst on the sepals and petals, comparable with those of AERIDES maculosum; lip triangular, with a retrorse, hooked, solid tooth, and a very small, angular spur, the disk rich amethyst. Cochin China, 1886. AERIDES Houlletianum (Houllet's).* fl. sepals and petals buff, shading off into cream white at the base, with a purplish eye-spot at their tips; lip white; front part dark purplish, with some lines of the same colour on the sides; on densely crowded spikes. l. and growth similar to AERIDES virens. Cochin ChinAERIDES SYN. AERIDES Mendelii. AERIDES illustre (illustrious). fl. resembling those of AERIDES maculosum, but larger; sepals and petals broader with a lilac hue over the white, the few blotches mostly on the inner side of the petals; lip rich amethyst-purple, with the basal markings of AERIDES maculosum; racemes unbranched. l. broad, dark-spotted. India (supposed to be a natural hybrid). AERIDES japonicum (Japanese).* fl. white, with the lateral sepals slightly barred with brown purple; several on the pendent racemes; lip purple, spotted, marked with a dark violet central ridge. l. short, linear-oblong, obtusely bilobed. Stems short, about 4in. high. A pretty cool house species from Japan, 1862. AERIDES Larpentae (Lady Larpent's). Synonymous with AERIDES falcatum. AERIDES Lawrenceanum (Sir Trevor Lawrence's). fl. white, large, with a bold, convex, scoop-shaped lip of a bright magenta-rose; spikes drooping. l. rather narrow-linear. 1882. AERIDES Lawrenciae (Lady Lawrence's). fl. nearly as large as those of AERIDES crispum; sepals and petals white, changing to yellowish, tipped rosy-purple; lip having its side lobes high, oblong-dolabriform, its central lobe tipped rosy-purple, two purple lines running back to the mouth of the spur, which is conical, acute, entire; racemes 2ft. long, bearing upwards of thirty flowers. Tropical Asia, 1882. (W. O. A. vi. 270.) AERIDES Leeanum (W. Lee's). fl. amethyst-coloured, with a green spur, sweet-scented; racemes short and dense. Winter. An Indian species, allied to AERIDES quinqueculnerum. AERIDES lepidum (charming). fl. white, as large as those of AERIDES affine; sepals and petals tipped with purple; lip having the projected anterior part purple; spur cylindrical, curved; racemes ascending, many-flowered. l. lorate, obtusely bilobed. India. A pretty species. AERIDES Lobbii (Lobb's).* fl. white in the centre, slightly tinted with blush-rose towards the outside, somewhat spotted with violet; lip marked with a whitish central bar, and stained with a deep violet on either side; on long, dense, cylindrical, pendent spikes. l. ligulate, obliquely two-lobed at the apex, thick and fleshy in texture, about 18in. long, and of a light green hue. Moulmein, 1868. This elegant plant, of which many distinct varieties are in cultivation, is one of the most delicate of the genus. AERIDES Lobbii Ainsworthii (Ainsworth's). fl. brighter-coloured than in the type; spikes about 2ft. long. Moulmein. A fine variety. AERIDES maculosum (spotted). fl. large, with obtuse pale rose-coloured sepals and petals, which are spotted with purple; lip flat and undivided, bluntly ovate, and of a deep rosy-purple; racemes pendulous, proceeding from among the upper leaves, somewhat lax and branching. l. ligulate, thick, and fleshy, obtuse at the apex, 8in. or 9in. long, dark green. A somewhat slow growing species, with a rather stiff, dwarf habit. Bombay, 1840. AERIDES maculosum formosum (beautiful). fl. large and numerous; sepals and petals white, marked with numerous rose-purple spots; lip white at base, marked on the crests and auricles with rose purple lines, the large, elliptic front lobe entirely rose-purple. 1885. A fine form. AERIDES maculosum Schroederi (Schroeder's).* fl. very delicate white, tinge with lilac and spotted with rose; labellum beautiful rose coloured l. dark green, 10in. long. h. 18in. East Indies. A very fre?? growing and handsome variety, superior to the species, but rare in cultivation. AERIDES margaritaceum (pearly). fl. pure white, produced in spikes. Summer. l. spotted. India. A pretty species, something in the way of AERIDES maculosum. AERIDES marginatum (margined). fl. densely packed on the rachis; sepals and petals pale yellow, the anterior border purple; side lobes of lip semi-oblong, deep orange, the central one oblong-ligulate, toothleted, yellow, changing to sepia-brown; spur light green, conical; racemes drooping. l. rather broad, lorate, bilobed or emarginate, keeled on the under side. Philippine Islands, 1885. AERIDES McMorlandi (McMorland's). fl. white, spotted with peach-colour, freely produced in long, branched racemes. June and July. l. bright green, nearly 1ft. long. India. A fine but rare species. AERIDES Mendelii (Mendel's).* Synonymous with AERIDES Houlletianuna. AERIDES mitratum (mitred).* fl. waxy-white; lip violet coloured, o?? numerous dense erect racemes. April. l. cylindrical, attenuated, about 2ft. long, dark green. Moulmein, 1864. A rare but elegant species. AERIDES nobile (noble).* fl. sepals and petals white tipped, and spotted with bright rose; lip three-lobed, the side lobes creamy yellow, and the middle lobe slightly bifid at the apex, white, dotted with rose-purple, very fragrant; racemes 2ft. to 3ft. long, pendulous, much branched, many flowered. l. strap-shaped, obliquely emarginate at the apex, light green, slightly spotted with brown. Not unlike AERIDES suavissimum, but with larger and better coloured flowers, and more robust growth. East Indies. AERIDES odontochilum (tooth-lipped). h. 2ft. Sylhet, 1837. AERIDES odoratum (fragrant).* fl. sepals and petals creamy and white tipped with pink; lip cucullate, with even side lobes, the middle lobe being ovate and inflexed, the spur conical and incurved, of the same colour as the sepals, very fragrant; racemes longer than the leaves, many-flowered, pendulous. l. oblique, obtuse, mucronate at the apex, and dark green. East Indies, 1800. AERIDES odoratum birmanicum (Birma). fl. smaller than in the type; lateral sepals having a light purple line outside; middle lacinia of the lip purple, very narrow, with a few teeth at the margin; side laciniae apicular. 1887. AERIDES odoratum cornutum (horned). fl. pink and white. Distinct. AERIDES odoratum Demidoffi (Demidoff's). fl. white, large, forming a rich spike; tips of the sepals, petals, and lip marked with purple; spur spotted with purple, and tipped with green. 1885. Stem. AERIDES odoratum majus (greater).* Like AERIDES odoratum in growth, but with larger and longer spike of flowers. AERIDES odoratum purpurascens (purplish).* A very robust variety, with broad dark green leaves and massive spike of large flowers, which are white, tipped with bright pink. AERIDES Ortgiesianum (Ortgies'). fl., sepals and petals blotched and warted with purple; side segments of the lip purple, the middle one white, blunt, bilobed, not serrated, the spur green, all dotted and barred red. 1885. This looks like a small AERIDES quinquevulnerum. AERIDES pachyphyllum (thick-leaved). fl. light crimson lake; spur and column white, the small laciniae of the blade of the lip on front part of spur painted with more or less warm purple (these laciniae are just as insignificant as the spur is preponderant); raceme short, few-flowered. l. fleshy, short; apex obtuse, and unequally two-lobed. Burmah, 1880. AERIDES pachyphyllum (thick-leaved). fl. resembling those of AERIDES Thibautianum, few in a short raceme; sepals and petals light crimson-lake, nearly as large as in that species, oblong-ligulate; laciniae of the lip small, painted with more or less warm purple; spur prominent, and, as well as the column, white. l. very fleshy, short. Birma, 1880. AERIDES quinquevulnerum (five-wounded).* fl. fragrant; sepals and petals obtuse, white, marked with five reddish crimson blotches, and tipped with purple; lip cucullate and funnel-shaped, the side lobes being erect and the centre lobe oblong, incurved and serrated, of the same colour as the sepals; spur conical, green, large; racemes longer than the leaves, pendulous, and many-flowered. Late summer and early autumn. l. ligulate, about 12in. long, tightly clasping the stem at the base, obliquely mucronate at the apex, bright shining green. Philippines, 1838. AERIDES quinquevulnerum Farmeri (Farmer's).* A very rare variety of the above, with similar habit, but the flowers are pure white throughout, and fragrant. AERIDES quinquevulnerum Schadenbergiana (Schadenberg's). A variety of more compact habit, having shorter and broader leaves than the type. 1886. AERIDES Reichenbachii (Reichenbach's).* fl., sepals neatly striped (not blotched); lip deep orange colour; racemes densely crowded. Borneo, 1858. A very rare species. AERIDES Reichenbachii cochinchinensis (Cochin China). fl., inflorescence denser than in the type; yellow of the lip much deeper. Cochin China. A grand variety. AERIDES Roebelenii (Roebelen's). fl. very fragrant, the size of those of AERIDES quinquevulnerum; sepals and petals greenish-white, tipped with white; petals often minutely toothed; lip rosy, with yellow, oblong side lobes lacerated on the upper edge, as is also the much longer, oblong, curved middle lobe; spur short, conical; racemes erect, 1ft. long. about twenty-five-flowered. Philippine Islands, 1884. Habit of AERIDES quinquevulnerum. AERIDES Rohanianum (Prince Camille de Rohan's). fl., sepals whitish-rose or rose-mauve, always bordered white; laciniae of the lip white, with two purple lines running over the middle and purple blotches, the central laciniae nearly rhomboid, bilobed at apex, with some small crenulations, the side laciniae cuneate and retrorse; spur sulphur or orange, with numerous purple spots, bent forwards; inflorescence very long. 1884. AERIDES roseum (rose-coloured).* fl., sepals and petals narrow, acute, pale rose colour, with darker spots; lip flat, entire, and acute, of a bright rose, freckled-like the sepals and petals-with spots of a darker hue; raceme pendulous, dense, and many-flowered, upwards of 1ft. in length. l. coriaceous, recurved, and channelled above with a blunt two-lobed apex. Moulmein, 1840. As this does not root freely, it requires less moisture than any other species. AERIDES roseum superbum (superb).* A fine variety, with stronger growth and larger and richer-coloured flowers. The spikes of this, as well as the typical species, are apt to die off if much water is given. AERIDES rubrum (red). A synonym of Sarcanthus erinaceus. AERIDES Sanderianum (Sander's). fl. 1 1/2in. across; sepals and petals creamy-white, tipped magenta, recurved at the margin; lip large, the upper half of the side lobes yellow, frilled at the edges, the middle lobe obovate, folded, magenta; spur greenish-yellow at the end; racemes long. l. broad, short, retusely bilobed. Eastern tropical Asia, 1884. AERIDES suavissimum (sweetest). fl., sepals and petals obtusely ovate, white, tipped or tinged throughout with deep lilac; lip three-lobed, pressed to the column, the side lobes being oblong and denticulate, the middle lobe linear and bifid, the whole lip being of a pale lemon colour, and the spur rosy-eyed; the numerous racemes are half pendulous and branched, bearing a profusion of deliciously fragrant flowers. l. flaccid, about 10in. long, light green, profusely freckled with brown dots. Malacca, 1848. There are one or two varieties. AERIDES suavissimum maculatum (spotted). fl. delightfully fragrant; sepals and petals white, profusely spotted with pink, as is also the lip. AERIDES tesselatum (chequered). fl. lined and streaked with green, white, and purple. East Indies, 1838. A scarce species. AERIDES testaceum (testaceous). A synonym of Vanda parviflora. AERIDES Thibautianum (Thibaut's). A synonym of Saccolabium Huttoni. AERIDES Thibautianum (Thibaut's). fl., sepals and petals rose-coloured; lip bright amethyst; raceme very long, with the flowers rather openly set upon it. Java. Allied to AERIDES quinquevulnerum. AERIDES Vandarum (Vanda). A synonym of AERIDES cylindricum. AERIDES Veitchii (Veitch's). fl. white, dotted with soft rose-pink; racemes long, drooping, branched. June and July. l. 8in. long, dark green, spotted. Allied to AERIDES affine. (B. H. 1881, 8-9.) AERIDES virens (vigorous). fl. deliciously fragrant; sepals and petals ovate, obtuse, soft white, tipped with rosy-purple; lip large; side lobes toothed at the apex, white, dotted with crimson; middle lobe bearing a red inflated tongue; racemes long, drooping, many-flowered, commencing to blossom early in April, and lasting until July. l. broad, oblique, rounded at the apex, with a depression in the centre, and very bright green, about 8in. long. AERIDES virens Dayanum (Day's). A fine variety, with very long racemes. India. AERIDES virens Ellisii (Ellis's).* fl. sepals and petals large, white, suffused with rose, and tipped with amethyst; the lower sepals very round and broad; lip large; side lobes white, beautifully freckled towards the base, with short lines of amethyst; middle lobe broad, and deep rich amethyst in colour; spur stout, curved upwards, and tipped with brown; racemes about 18in. long, bearing generally from thirty to forty, or more, large flowers. l. pale green. A splendid variety. AERIDES virens grandiflorum (large-flowered). fl. white, spotted with pink, larger and more gracefully disposed than in the type. April and May. India. AERIDES virens superbum (superb). fl. brighter, and spikes longer, than those of the type. India. AERIDES Wightianum. See Vanda testacea. AERIDES Williamsii (Williams's).* fl. delicate pinkish white, produced in great abundance; spikes 2ft. to 3ft. long, and branched, l. broad, dark green, drooping. A very scarce and pretty species. AERIDES Wilsonianum (Wilson's). fl., sepals and petals pure white; lip lemon-yellow. A distinct, dwarf species, in appearance much resembling AERIDES odoratum.