Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Spathoglottis fortunei Lindl.

Frost-tender, terrestrial, rhizomatous orchid with pseudobulbs arising from the rhizomes, with a few deciduous leaves, and tall, slender racemes of yellow flowers, the lips spotted and marked with red, in autumn.  [RHSD].

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘The plant which I found at Prome and Taong Dong seems to be larger than that which is a native of Bengal, and may perhaps eventually prove a different species.  Professor Lindley, in his valuable work on Orchideae, quoted above, considers them as one and the same species.’  [Wallich pl.203/1802.]  Apparently live plants were only introduced to Britain by Robert Fortune in 1844.  [JD].  ‘One of the first plants which Mr. Fortune met with on the granitic mountains of Hong Kong.’  [BR f.19/1845].

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [O.48/1850].  One of a number of plants received from Captain Simpson in late 1849 or early 1850, apparently on the same ship as those accompanying Captain P. P. King.  The source is unclear.  [ML A1980-3].

Notes

Published Jan 26, 2010 - 04:34 PM | Last updated Jan 26, 2010 - 04:42 PM

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Figured are pseudobulb, lance-shaped, narrow leaves and slender raceme of yellow flowers. Wallich pl.203, 1802.

Spathoglottis fortunei Lindl. | Wallich pl.203/1802 | BHL

Family Orchidaceae
Category
Region of origin

Hong Kong
Synonyms
  • Spathoglottis pubescens Lindl.
Common Name
Name in the Camden Park Record

Spathoglottis Fortuni 
Confidence level high