Sarcochilus falcatus R.Br.
Small, frost-tender, epiphytic orchid with fleshy leaves, to 16cm long, and slender racemes of up to 10, white, orange-blossom-scented flowers, with yellow and purple markings, in spring. [RHSD, Jones, FNSW, Pridgeon, Beadle].
Horticultural & Botanical History
‘This rare plant has been sent me both by Mr. Bateman and Messrs. Loddiges. The drawing was made in the collection of the latter gentlemen in April last. It is a native of New Holland and near Hunter’s River; but so rare that I have never yet received a single native specimen except an imperfect one for which I was some years since indebted to Dr. Brown, who however saw it only in an imperfect state. The flowering specimens, with which my garden friends have supplied me, while they have enabled me to complete my account of it, have also shown that this hitherto little known species is really an extremely pretty little plant, which, without any of the gaudy colours of many of its tribe, is so neat and simple in its appearance as to be sure to captivate the feelings of every lover of nature. It must be treated just like other Orchideous Epiphytes.’ [BR f.1832/1836].
Introduced to Britain in 1821. [JD]. Fitzgerald.
History at Camden Park
Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [O.47/1850]. Macarthur had probably possessed it for some time before 1850 as he sent plants to Loddiges’ nursery in April 1846 [MP A2933-1, p.147]. He probably collected his plants from the Illawarra.
Notes
Published Jan 26, 2010 - 04:26 PM | Last updated Jul 29, 2010 - 01:25 PM
Sarcochilus falcatus R.Br. | BR f.1832/1836 | BHL
| Family | Orchidaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | Eastern Australia |
| Synonyms |
|
| Common Name | Orange blossom orchid |
| Name in the Camden Park Record |
Sarchochilus falcatus |
| Confidence level | high |