Gongora galeata Rchb.f. var. loddidgesii Autran & Durand
Evergreen epiphytic orchid with clustered, ovate pseudobulbs, to 5cm high, leaves to 30cm long and drooping racemes of tawny-yellow flowers with brownish-red lips. [RHSD, Hortus].
Horticultural & Botanical History
‘A very singular Epiphytous Orchideous plant, introduced into the stoves of this country from Xalapa of Mexico by Mr. George Loddiges, whence Dr. Lindley has been led to distinguish it by his name: a compliment which that liberal and able Horticulturist well merits. The habit of he plant is quite peculiar: the racemes are quite pendent, and in the state of bud and after the first expansion, the long and regularly decurved ovaries are arranged in three rows. Our plants, in the Glasgow Botanic Garden, for which we are indebted to Mr. Loddiges, blossomed in September; but the flowers are of very short duration.’ [BM t.3563/1837].
History at Camden Park
Acropera loddigesii was included in a consignment of plants sent from Kew by John Bidwill in November 1843. It seems likely that these plants were forwarded to William Macarthur at Camden but there is no direct evidence of this plant being grown there [AJCP]. A plant that could possibly be the Kew orchid but identified only as Maxillaria sp. was included in the 1850 catalogue .
Notes
Published Jan 27, 2010 - 01:56 PM | Last updated Aug 04, 2011 - 05:17 PM
Gongora galeata var. loddidgesii Autran & Durand | BM t.3563/1837 | BHL
| Family | Orchidaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | Mexico |
| Synonyms |
|
| Common Name | |
| Name in the Camden Park Record |
Acropera loddigesii
|
| Confidence level | high |