Cattleya skinneri Batem.

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘No colour that we can employ does justice to the brilliant rosy hue of this flower, justly named by Me. Bateman in compliment to its indefatigable discoverer, Mr. Skinner, who detected it exclusively in the warm parts of Guatemala and along the shores of the Pacific.  There it is called “Flor de San Sebastian”, and is eagerly sought for, when in season, by the people of the country, to ornament the temples and shrines of their favourite saints.  It is described by Mr. Skinner as “inhabiting the hot damp coasts,” and as “a plant that will require treatment accordingly.  It is always found on very high trees and is most difficult to get at, except after a storm that may have chanced to bring down some of the largest forest trees.”  Mr Bateman mentions the plant as producing flowers sometimes much larger than those here represented.  We only give them as they appear to us in June, 1843.’  [BM t.4270/1846.]

‘A beautiful orchid from Guatemala, it produces rosy-purple flowers in [spring], and they remain 3 weeks in perfection if kept dry.’  [Gard. Chron. 1851].  It was first received in Britain in 1836 from Mr. Skinner.  [MB p.193/1844].  BR misc. 83/1840.  

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [O.7/1850].  Cattleya crispa was 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