File:Contributions from the Botanical Laboratory, vol. 12 (1934) (20065898554).jpg

Title: Contributions from the Botanical Laboratory, vol. 12
Identifier: contributionsfro12univ (find matches)
Year: 1934 (1930s)
Authors: University of Pennsylvania. Botanical Laboratory; University of Pennsylvania. Morris Arboretum
Subjects: Botany; Botany
Publisher: Philadelphia : (s. n. )
Contributing Library: Penn State University
Digitizing Sponsor: Lyrasis Members and Sloan Foundation

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IVtld Slower Preservation Society Goodyera pubcsccns although its soil must be maintained in a state of high acidity, and slugs be kept away if it is to remain in the garden long. Northern Rattlesnake-orchids, Goodyera mensiesii, repens ophioi- des, and tessclata. These three species apparently sur- vived the Glacial Epoch in high moun- tains south of the ice limit, and after deglaciation spread far north into Can- ada. They require soil of high acidity like the more widespread species first discussed, but unlike it demand in ad- dition that the soil be kept cool, and so are not to be successfully cultivated in lowland gardens. Southern Twayblade, Listera aus- tralis Lindley. This tiny orchid ranges from Flori- da to Louisiana and locally northward, having been able since the last ice sheet retreated to migrate as far north as central Ontario. So far as climatic con- ditions are concerned, then, it should be adaptable to cultivation almost any- where. It requires, however, a moist, intensely acid soil which is rarely avail- able in gardens, and moreover is highly susceptible to attack by parasitic fungi, and slugs. Allegheny Twayblade, Listera smallii Wiegand. The occurrence of this Twayblade both in the southern Alleghenies and in eastern Asia shows that before the Glacial Epoch it had an extensive range. Its more northern colonies were destroyed by the ice, and since the last sheet melted away it has not succeeded in migrating north of south-central Pennsylvania. Like preceding species it needs an intensely acid soil, and its most frequent habitat is in the litter of decomposing leaves under Rhododen- dron bushes. If a pest-free garden is available, its cultivation should be tried. Northern Tw^ayblades, Listera au- riculata, convallarioides, and cordata. While more adaptable to variable soil reactions than the species already dis- cussed, these three are apparently un- able to withstand much heating up of their soil in the Summer, and so could only be cultivated if provision were made for keeping their bed cool. They are better left to grow undisturbed in the northern swamps. Green Malaxis, Malaxis unifolia Michaux. In the books this genus of orchids is assigned the common name ladder's mouth, but their flowers are so wholly different in shape from, and so much smaller than, any adder I have ever seen that I can not accept it, and favor the use of the technical name instead. This species ranges from the Gulf Coast to central Canada and to New- foundland, so is highly adaptable as to climate, but it is restricted to soils of such intense acidity that its cultivation is difficult. Moreover, rodents will eat Its bulbs whenever found, and these animals are good finders. 4*> White Malaxis, Malaxis brachypoda (Gray) Fernald. This American plant has been con- fused with the European Malaxis mo- nophyllos, but the flowers of the two are so dissimilar in shape and position that their distinctness must be ad- mitted. It ranges from Texas to Que- bec, so is nearly as indifferent to cli- matic extremes as its relative. Since, unlike that relative, it prefers circum- neutral soil, its cultivation is easier, al- though unfortunately it too has an edi- ble bulb. Brown Malaxis^ Malaxis s pi c at a Swartz. Though discovered in the West In- dies and for years supposed to be whol- ly tropical, this member of the genus is now known to range as far north as Virginia, and accordingly to be able to withstand freezing weather. It usual- ly has two leaves placed alternately on the stem, and its flowers are orange- brown in color. Like the next-preced- ing, it thrives in circumneutral soil, and may be capable of cultivation in a ro- dent-free environment. Green Flat-lip Orchid, Liparis loeselii (L.) Richard. The common name Twayblade is often applied to this genus of orchids, but quite erroneously so—as far as pos- sible a name should be limited to one genus, and to that genus for which it is actually commonly used, in this case Listera. Here I prefer not to translate the technical name, which would lead to the term Shining Orchid, but to use a really descriptive term instead. The present species is wide-ranging both as to climate (Alabama to Nova Sco- tia) and as to soil reaction (slightly alkaline to decidedly acid). In the gar-
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M'^ild Floiver Preservation Society Liparis liliifolia den it may not persist long, since such plants as are missed by mice are likely to be found by slugs. Brown Flat-lip Orchid, Liparis li- liifolia (L.) Richard. Even more tolerant than its relative as to temperature and acidity, this odd little orchid is one of the easiest to cul- tivate. Its bulbs should be shallowly set in leaf-litter, and if protected from destructive agencies will soon increase by offsets to form large clumps. It can also be raised from seed sown in the same litter, reaching blooming size in three or four years. Unfortunately, however, such superficial bulbs do not long escape the attention of hungry animals. ^^^-^^

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