Rossioglossum grande (Lindl.) Garay & G.C.Kenn.

Horticultural & Botanical History

Odontoglossum grande was introduced to Britain in 1839 and probably collected by Mr. Parkinson on behalf of the Duke of Bedford, and first flowered at Woburn Abbey.  ‘This truly magnificent plant blossomed in September, 1841, in the Orchideous House of His Grace the Duke of Bedford, pseudo-bulbs having been sent to His Grace’s late father, and it would indeed have gratified that nobleman had he lived to witness its extraordinary blossoms.  It is first noticed in the miscellaneous pages of the Botanical Register.  Mr. Bateman, who has given a splendid figure of it, says, “this noble plant may well be described by its discoverer (Mr. Skinner) as among the most magnificent ornaments of the Orchidaceous Flora of Guatemala”: and Mr. Bateman himself observes that, “in brilliancy of colour if it yield to certain species of Laelia and Cattleya, it must confessedly be placed at the head of the vast group of South American Vandeae, curious and beautiful though they all be.”  Like the two plants that flowered in Mr. Bateman’s collection, our’s produced only four blossoms; but that gentleman’s had soon after attained to a vigour of growth that left little doubt they will eventually produce the full complement of flowers, which, in their native specimens, is sometimes not less than eight:- and as such, that is, bearing eight flowers, he has represented it.’  [BM t.3955/1842].  MB p.49/1841.  FS f.52/1845.

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [O.41/1850].  Requested from Loddiges’ nursery on 1st February, 1849 [MP A2933-1, p.185] and obtained from them, brought out from England by Captain P. P. King in that year.  [ML A1980-3]. 

Notes