EPIDENDRUM (from epi, upon, and dendron, a tree; epiphytal on trees). Including Physinga. ORD. Orchideae. A large genus (about 300 species) of stove and greenhouse Orchids, comparatively few of which are worth cultivating, the great majority having small, dingy-coloured flowers. Dr. Lindley says the essential character of the genus resides in the lip being more or less united by a fleshy base to the edge of a column, which is hornless, and considerably elongated, but not petaloid, and winged; in the pollen masses being four, equal and compressed; and, in the presence of a passage, more or less deep, at the base of the lip. Most of the species are epiphytes, though some few succeed in pots, under the same treatment as recommended for Cattleya (which see), except that less heat is needed. Growers of orchids, according to Mr. Williams, have been more deceived in buying Epidendrums than in any other group of similar plants. The bulbs of many kinds are so nearly alike that it is very difficult to tell what they are before flowering. Sometimes they have to be grown several years before this occurs; and then frequently only dingy green flowers are produced, about the same colour as the leaves. Some of these insignificant flowers are, however, very fragrant, and will perfume the whole house in which they are grown. In the following enumeration, the most beautiful and approved sorts only are included. EPIDENDRUM alatum majus (large-winged).* fl. pale yellow, disposed in straggling panicles, and remaining nearly six weeks in beauty; lip striped with purple. June, July. Guatemala. Greenhouse. SYN. EPIDENDRUM calochilum. (B. M. 3898.) EPIDENDRUM aloifolium (Aloe-leaved). A synonym of EPIDENDRUM falcatum. EPIDENDRUM amabile (lovely). A synonym of EPIDENDRUM dichromum. EPIDENDRUM arachnoglossum (cobweb-lipped). fl. reddish-purple (carmine-violet), in a short, corymbiform or roundish raceme; sepals and petals acute, recurved; lateral lobes of lip roundish, pectinate, the middle one cuneate, deeply bilobed; column violet, club-shaped. l. distichous, alternate, glabrous, sessile, oblong-lanceolate, obtuse, fleshy. Stems tufted, erect, naked above. New Grenada, 1883. (R. H. 1882, p. 554.) EPIDENDRUM arachnoglossum candidum (white). fl. wholly white, with the exception of the orange lateral calli of the lip. 1886. EPIDENDRUM atropurpureum (dark-purple).* fl., sepals and petals dark rose or purple, the apices greenish, incurved; lip rose-coloured, with a dark blotch of crimson-purple in its centre. May, June. h. 6in. to 12in. Mexico, 1836. This species succeeds well either in a shallow pan or on a block, with sphagnum. Greenhouse. SYN. EPIDENDRUM macrochilum (B. M. 3534). The variety roseum (F. d. S. 372) has the lip wholly of a dark rose colour. EPIDENDRUM atropurpureum album (white). A white-lipped variety. EPIDENDRUM atropurpureum Randi (Rand's). fl., sepals and petals greenish-brown, with paler margins; lip white, large, marked with contiguous, red veins at the base. Amazons, 1886. SYN. EPIDENDRUM Randianum (L. 49). EPIDENDRUM aurantiacum (golden).* fl. bright orange, produced from a sheath at the top of the bulb, five to ten in a cluster; lip orange, striped with crimson. March to May. h. 1ft. Guatemala, 1836. A very handsome stove species. In habit and structure, it approaches Cattleya Skinneri. (R. G. 138.) EPIDENDRUM Barkeriola (Barkeriola). fl., sepals and the light rose-coloured petals nearly equal; lip white, with a deep purple blotch and some short purple lines on the disk, where there are two raised lines, pandurate or obovate; raceme one-sided. l. lanceolate, acute, wavy, reddish beneath and on the margins. 1884. SYN. Barkeria Barkeriola. EPIDENDRUM bicameratum (two-arched). fl. ochre-coloured, with a deep brown disk; lip white, ochre-coloured at the base. Mexico, 1871. Greenhouse. EPIDENDRUM bicornutum (two-horned).* fl. pure white, with a few crimson spots in the centre of the lip; spike produced from the tops of the pseudo-bulbs, sometimes twelve-flowered. Summer. Pseudo-bulbs stout, 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. high, hollow in the centre, and producing short leathery leaves near the apex. Trinidad. This curious, but handsome stove species is sometimes found difficult to grow. It has, however, succeeded upon a bare block of wood, in a high temperature, fully exposed to the sun, and supplied with abundance of atmospheric moisture when making its growth. Occasionally, it grows and flowers well annually, treated in a precisely similar way to Cattleyas. (B. M. 3332.) This species, together with about three others, also formerly included under Epidendrum, now constitute the genus Diacrium, and the correct name of this plant is Diacrium bicornutum. EPIDENDRUM Brassavolae (Brassavola). fl. 4in. in diameter, on long, many-flowered spikes; sepals and petals rich yellowish-brown; lip large, ovate, straw-coloured at the base, with the apex purple, sweet-scented in the evening. Guatemala, 1867. Greenhouse. (B. M. 5664.) EPIDENDRUM calochilum (beautiful-lipped). A synonym of EPIDENDRUM alatum majus. EPIDENDRUM Catillus (Catillus). fl. cinnabar-red, in clusters. Columbia, 1873. Greenhouse. (I. H. n. s. 162.) EPIDENDRUM Christyanum (Christy's). fl. greenish and brown, in an erect raceme; sepals oblong, apiculate; petals spathulate; lateral segments of lip sub-quadrate, extrorse, the middle one triangular, apiculate; column trifid. l. ligulate, acute. Pseudo-bulbs long-pyriform, two-leaved. Bolivia, 1884. EPIDENDRUM ciliare (ciliated). fl. fragrant, several in a raceme, each with a long bract at base; sepals and petals greenish-yellow, linear, acute; lip white, three-parted, the lateral lobes pectinately incised, the middle one setaceous, much longer. Winter. l. in pairs. Pseudo-bulbs oblong, obtuse. Tropical America. (B. R. 784.) EPIDENDRUM cuspidatum (B. M. 463; B. R. 783; L. B. C. 10) is considered a variety of this species, but the flowers are yellower and larger, and the middle lobe of the lip is linear-lanceolate, and not appreciably longer than the side ones. 1844. EPIDENDRUM cinnabarinum (cinnabar-red). fl. orange-red, crowded at the top of a slender scape, 2in. across. May to July. h. 4ft. Brazil, 1837. Stove. (B. R. 1842, 25.) EPIDENDRUM cuspidatum (cusp-pointed). A variety of EPIDENDRUM ciliare. EPIDENDRUM densiflorum (dense-flowered). A variety of EPIDENDRUM polyanthum. EPIDENDRUM Endresii (Endres'). fl. as large as those of EPIDENDRUM ellipticum; sepals white, tipped green, the upper one cuneate-oblong, acute, the lateral ones triangular; petals white, spathulate; lip blotched mauve, curiously cut, with two triangular edges at the base, the anterior lacinia cuneate-obreniform. l. about a dozen, like those of Box Costa Rica, 1883. (G. C. n.s., xxiii., p. 504.) EPIDENDRUM enemidophorum (sheathed).* fl. light yellow, spotted brown inside, pure white at back; lip white, shaded rose, deeply divided; spike terminal, about 1ft. long. l. about 8in. long, glossy, acuminated. h. 4ft. to 6ft. Guatemala, 1867. A stately greenhouse plant, with ample drooping racemes. (B. M. 5656.) EPIDENDRUM Cooperianum (Cooper's). fl. brownish-yellow; lip broad, rosy-purple; racemes terminal, drooping. l. lanceolate, acute. h. 2ft. to 3ft. Brazil, 1867. Stove. (B. M. 5654.) EPIDENDRUM crassifolium (thick-leaved). A synonym of EPIDENDRUM ellipticum. EPIDENDRUM criniferum (hairy-lipped). fl. yellowish-green, with cinnamon blotches and bars; lip white, hairy. Costa Rica, 1871. Greenhouse. (B. M. 6094.) EPIDENDRUM dichromum (two-coloured).* fl. light rose-coloured, about 2in. in diameter, produced in large panicles, 2ft. to 3ft. high; lip three-lobed, rich crimson; pseudo-bulbs short and stout, supporting two or three dark green leathery leaves, from 6in. to 12in. or more in length. Pernambuco, 1865. Greenhouse. The variety striatum is a very handsome one, having sepals and petals white, with radiating deep purple lines. EPIDENDRUM eburneum (ivory). fl., sepals and petals yellowish-green; lip very large, ivory-white, with yellow callosities; raceme terminal, four to six-flowered. l. alternate, large, deep green. h. 2ft. Panama, 1867. Greenhouse. (B. M. 5643.) EPIDENDRUM ellipticum (elliptic). fl. rose-coloured. March to June. h. 2ft. to 3ft. Brazil. Greenhouse. SYN. EPIDENDRUM crassifolium. (B. M. 3543.) EPIDENDRUM erubescens (blushing). fl. produced in large panicles; sepals and petals of a delicate mauve colour, broad; lip rather darker, yellow at the base. Mexico, 1837. This very desirable greenhouse species is somewhat difficult to grow; but it has been found to thrive well on long blocks of wood, in a cool house. EPIDENDRUM evectum (extended).* fl., racemes loose, sub-cylindric, many-flowered; perianth bright rose-purple; sepals and petals similar, narrow-obovate, obtuse; lip adnate to the column, rather longer than the sepals, three-lobed nearly to the base; lobes all deeply cut and fringed. l. sessile, oblong-lanceolate, obtuse, emarginate, coriaceous, plane; sheaths rather short. Native country unknown, but probably from New Grenada. A very handsome greenhouse species. (B. M. 5902.) EPIDENDRUM falcatum (falcate).* fl. fragrant, one or two together; sepals and petals greenish-yellow; lip brighter yellow, not fringed. Summer. Mexico, 1835. Stove. This plant remains in full beauty for a considerable time. SYNS. EPIDENDRUM aloifolium and EPIDENDRUM Parkinsonianum. (B. M. 3778.) EPIDENDRUM Flos-aeris (air-flower). A synonym of Arachnanthe moschifera. EPIDENDRUM fraudulentum (fraudulent). fl. light rose-coloured, small, the column and lower part of the ovary purple, the keel and calli yellow. 1886. EPIDENDRUM Frederici Guilielmi (Prince Frederick William's). fl. produced in large terminal panicles; sepals and petals dark purple, about 1in. long, lanceolate; lip trilobed; apex of the column and the disk pure white. l. distichous, 6in. to 8in. long, 1in. to 2in. broad, dark green Peru, 1871. Stove. (I. H. n. s. 48.) EPIDENDRUM fulgens (brilliant) A synonym of EPIDENDRUM Schomburgkii. EPIDENDRUM Grahami (Graham's). A synonym of EPIDENDRUM phoeniceum. EPIDENDRUM Hanburii (Hanbury's). fl., sepals and petals deep, dull purple; lip rose, veined with crimson. Spring. h. 2ft. Mexico, 1843. Greenhouse. (R. G. 398.) EPIDENDRUM ibaguense (Ibague). fl. in a dense, almost globose head; sepals and petals orange; lip yellow, obcordate, the lateral lobes cordate, rounded at the tip and fringed. l. very fleshy, amplexicaul, oblong, obtuse. Stems tall, slender, the upper portion leafy, the extreme end leafless. New Grenada, Peru. (F. M. 390.) EPIDENDRUM ionocentrum (violet-spurred). fl., sepals and petals lemon-coloured, spotted with greenish-brown, lanceolate, acuminate; lip white, violet or purple in the centre; raceme twenty to twenty-four flowered. Pseudo-bulb broad. Otherwise like EPIDENDRUM Brassavolae. EPIDENDRUM Kienastii (Kienast-Zolly's). fl., sepals and petals very light rose, with darker purple veins, the sepals lanceolate, the petals very cuneate at base; lip white, with fine purple, callose lines on the wavy mid-partition, the side partitions cuneate-ligulate, two-toothed outside; raceme several-flowered. l. usually two, 6in. long, 1/2in. to 1in. broad, cuneate-oblong, acute. Mexico, 1887. EPIDENDRUM Lindleyanum (Lindley's).* The correct name of the plant described in this work under its generally-recognised name of Barkeria Lindleyana. Stove. EPIDENDRUM macrochilum (large-lipped). A synonym of EPIDENDRUM atropur pureum. EPIDENDRUM Mathewsii (Mathews'). fl., sepals and petals stained purplish outside, small, nearly transparent, the lateral sepals connate half-way up; lip deep, dull blood-purple, shining, orbicular, bifid at apex, convex above, concave beneath, completely concealing the lateral sepals. l. distichous, rigid, fleshy. Stems short, procumbent. 1886. EPIDENDRUM myrianthum (many-flowered). fl. bright rosy-purple, small, in enormous panicles. Autumn. l. distichous, linear-oblong or lanceolate. Stems 3ft. to 4ft. high. Guatemala, 1866. This rare, free-flowering species grows best in a cool house. (B. M. 5556.) EPIDENDRUM nemorale (wood).* fl. about 3in. across, freely produced on large drooping panicles; sepals and petals of a delicate mauve or rosy-lilac, lanceolate; lip striped with violet. July. Pseudo-bulbs from 3in. to 5in. high, two-leaved. Mexico, 1840. This is a splendid stove species, but somewhat difficult to manage successfully, the fault, in most instances, being in keeping too much soil about its roots, and in not exposing it to the full sun. (B. M. 4606, under name of EPIDENDRUM verrucosum.) EPIDENDRUM nemorale majus (larger). fl. produced in panicles, sometimes 3ft. in length; sepals and petals delicate rosy-mauve; lip white in the centre, with three short red lines, bordered deep rose. Stove. EPIDENDRUM O'Brienianum (O'Brien's). A hybrid between EPIDENDRUM evectum and EPIDENDRUM radicans, and in habit very much resembling the latter. In colour the flowers are a brilliant carmine, faintly shaded orange, except the crests on the lip, which are bright yellow, as in EPIDENDRUM radicans; the segments are longer than in EPIDENDRUM evectum, but have the same general shape, and the lobes of the lip are much like those of the last-mentioned species. The plant, like its parents, grows rather tall. EPIDENDRUM oncidioides (Oncidium-like). fl. yellow, blotched brown, very fragrant; sepals and petals obovate, unguiculate; lip three-lobed, the lateral lobes narrow, obtuse, flat, much shorter than the roundish, cuspidate middle one, the disk three-keeled; panicle long, racemose. l. two or three, 2ft. long, 1 1/2in. wide. Stem 3ft. to 4ft. high. Surinam. (B. R. 1623; I. H. ser. v. 28.) EPIDENDRUM paniculatum (panicled).* fl. purple or lilac-purple, with some yellow at the tip of the column, very numerous, disposed in a large terminal branched drooping panicle, upwards of 1ft. long. l. distichous, lanceolate-acuminate. Stems tall, reedy, 2ft. to 4ft. high. New Grenada, 1868. Greenhouse. One of the finest of the paniculate Epidendrums, and perhaps the most free-flowering of all orchids. (B. M. 5731.) EPIDENDRUM Parkinsonianum (Parkinson's). A synonym of EPIDENDRUM falcatum. EPIDENDRUM paytense (Payta). fl. of a brilliant scarlet-vermillion, with some orange on the lip, which is also marked with some darker spots. l. short, very strong, oblong, acute, tinted purplish-brown. Shoots stiff, with purplish-brown sheaths. Columbia and Peru, 1885. EPIDENDRUM phoeniceum (purple). fl., sepals and petals deep purple mottled with green; lip clear bright violet, veined and stained with crimson. Summer. h. 6in. to 12in. Cuba, 1840. A handsome, large-flowered stove species, with branching panicles, 2ft. to 3ft. high. SYN. EPIDENDRUM Grahami. (B. M. 3385.) EPIDENDRUM polyanthum (many-flowered). fl. orange or salmon-colour, with a strong scent of cowslips; sepals ovate-lanceolate, acute, striated; petals linear, reflexed; lip three-lobed, three-ribbed, the lateral lobes sub-cuneate, retuse, the middle one retuse; panicle strict, simple. l. distichous, ovate-lanceolate, acute. Mexico, 1841. EPIDENDRUM polyanthum asperum (rough). A variety having the ovaries and rachis densely covered with small warts. 1885. EPIDENDRUM polyanthum densiflorum (dense-flowered). fl. greenish, with a little pink on the edges and in the middle of the lip. 1836. SYN. EPIDENDRUM densiflorum (B. M. 3791). EPIDENDRUM prismatocarpum (prism-fruited).* fl. fragrant ten to twelve on each erect raceme; sepals and petals yellow-green, spotted with dark purple or black; lip lilac-purple, bordered with white. June. Pseudo-bulbs flask-shaped, 10in. to 12in. in height, and, together with the evergreen leaves, dark green. Central America, 1862. Greenhouse. EPIDENDRUM pristes (saw-like). fl., sepals and petals light cinnabar, lanceolate, the petals serrated in the upper half; lip yellow, spotted cinnabar, trifid, serrated, the mid-lobe small, bilobed, with a flexuose keel at the base of the disk. l. very minutely serrulated. Stems slender. 1886. A handsome plant. EPIDENDRUM pseudepidendrum (false Epidendrum). fl., raceme terminal, few-flowered; perianth bright green, except the lip and upper part of the column, which are orange-vermilion; lip (free portion) sub-orbicular, retuse or emarginate from the end being recurved; margin erose and obscurely nerved at the back, deep green; back keeled; margins recurved. Central America, 1871. An extremely curious greenhouse species. (B. M. 5929.) EPIDENDRUM pseudepidendrum auratum (golden). fl., disk of the lip crimson, the borders deep orange. 1885. A fine variety. EPIDENDRUM punctulatum (slightly dotted). fl. stellate, in a slender panicle; sepals and petals brown inside, green outside, lanceolate, acute; lip sulphur, with minute dots, trifid, the side laciniae square, the middle one sessile, ovate, acute, the mid-nerves thickened; column brown and green; border of the anther-bed white, spotted brown. Mexico, 1885. Greenhouse. EPIDENDRUM radicans (rooting). fl. dark orange-red, remaining in beauty for a considerable period, produced in long, terminal recemes. Guatemala, 1836. A pretty scandent greenhouse species, sometimes reaching 10ft. in height, and requiring the support of a stake. SYN. EPIDENDRUM rhizophorum. (P. M. B. xii. 145.) EPIDENDRUM Randianum (Rand's) A synonym of EPIDENDRUM atropurpureum Randi. EPIDENDRUM raniferum (frog-bearing). fl. yellowish-green, thickly studded with purple-brown spots, about 2in. in diameter, numerously disposed in pendulous racemes. l. oblong, acute. Mexico. 1839. Greenhouse. One of the most attractive species of the genus. (F. M. n. s. 445.) EPIDENDRUM rhizophorum (rooting). A synonym of EPIDENDRUM radicans. EPIDENDRUM Sceptrum (sceptre). fl. small, sometimes three dozen in a raceme; sepals and petals golden-yellow, spotted dark purple, the sepals lanceolate, the petals obovate; lip white at base, profusely marked bright purple; racemes 1ft. 2ft. long. September and October. l. long, thin, remote, lorate. Pseudobulbs pear-shaped, compressed, 1ft. long. Venezuela. New Grenada. EPIDENDRUM Schomburgkii (Schomburgk's). fl. rich vermilion-scarlet; sepals and petals linear-lanceolate; lip three-lobed, strongly keeled, bicallose at base, the lateral lobes broadly semi-ovate, rounded and lacerated behind, the front lobe cuneate, gradually widening upwards, the edge denticulate, the apex shortly cuspidate; raceme short, close or corymbiform. l. distichous, oblong, obtuse, fleshy. Demerara, &c. A handsome species (B. iv. 165; B. R. 1838, 53.) SYN. EPIDENDRUM fulgens. EPIDENDRUM Sophronitis (Sophronitis-like). fl. dull yellow-green, mottled with dull violet-purple. May and June. l. two or three at the tip of the pseudo-bulb, 2in. to 3in. long, spreading, oblong-lanceolate, acute, thickly coriaceous, keeled, clothed on both surfaces with a pale glaucous-green, waxy secretion; margins purple. Pseudo-bulbs ovoid, green. Peru, 1867. Greenhouse. This is one of the most singular species of the genus. (B. M. 6314.) EPIDENDRUM Stamfordianum (Stamford's). fl. bright yellow and green thickly spotted with crimson, numerously produced on a branching spike. April, May. Guatemala, 1836. Greenhouse. (B. M. 4759.) EPIDENDRUM Stamfordianum Leeanum (Lee's). fl., sepals and petals ochre-coloured inside, covered with purple, hieroglyphic markings, scarcely translucent outside; lip light rose, purple-spotted inside, broad. 1887. EPIDENDRUM Stamfordianum Wallacei (Wallace's). fl., middle lacinia of the lip obcordate, quite entire and very narrow; column shorter than in the type. Mountains south of Bogota, 1887. EPIDENDRUM stenopetalum (narrow-petaled). fl. rose-coloured, few, produced at the tips of the pseudo-bulbs; lip a little darker than the sepals and petals, having a square, white area at the base, with a small, yellow crest, adhering to the column for quite half the latter's length. West Indies and Central America, 1887. EPIDENDRUM syringothyrsis (Lilac-like).* fl. dark purple, with a little orange and yellow on the lip and column, in branching panicles, seventy to eighty-flowered. l. distichous, about 6in. long, light green. Stems slender, about 3ft. high. Bolivia, 1866. Stove. The specific name is derived from its resemblance to the Lilac in form and colour. (B. M. 6145.) EPIDENDRUM trachychilum (rough-lipped). fl. very leathery, disposed in a dense, much-branched panicle; sepals and petals olive-brown, the sepals oblong, much-spreading, the petals somewhat conformed; lip deep yellow, studded with red warts, white and spotted pink on the callus, brilliant green with red warts on the lower lobes. L. straight, ensiform, much shorter than the scape. Pseudo-bulbs elongated, two-leaved. Mexico, 1885. Greenhouse. (R. G. 1205.) EPIDENDRUM vitellinum (yolk-of-egg-coloured). fl. bright orange-scarlet, about 2in. in diameter; lip bright yellow; spike erect, ten to fifteen-flowered. Summer. l. and pseudo-bulbs glaucous. Mexico, 1840. It thrives best in a warm temperature and damp atmosphere. (B. M. 4107.) The variety majus is a handsome form, with considerably larger flowers, and broader sepals and petals, than the type. EPIDENDRUM vitellinum giganteum (gigantic). A synonym of EPIDENDRUM vitellinum majus. (W. S. O. ser. iii. 27.) EPIDENDRUM Wallisii (Wallis'). fl. numerous, about 1 1/2in. across, scented; sepals and petals golden-yellow, spotted carmine-crimson, ligulate-oblong; lip white, with radiating, tubercled lines of magenta-purple, broad, cuneately flabellate; racemes drooping. October and November. l. distichous. Stems several feet in height, spotted brownish-purple, leafy. New Grenada. (W. O.A. ii. 74.)