The labellum is wanting; and there are two sterile stamens, the supernumerary one being opposite the other, i.
In a similar way the petals and labellum of Odontoglossum Uro-Skinneri have been found reduced to filamentous processes.
Accordingly the first impression would be that the labellum is here transformed into a sterile stamen.
The blossom is normal as to the proper perianth, except that the labellum is unusually papillose, bearded almost to the base.
The basal part of the labellum stands over the bucket, and is itself hollowed out into a sort of chamber with two lateral entrances; within this chamber there are curious fleshy ridges.
The extreme flexibility and elasticity of the labellum was first observed by Mr. More (see first edition, page 99).
Now when an insect's head gets into the flower, when the flap of the labellum has closed by its elasticity, the insect would naturally creep out by the back-side of the flower.
Certainly, if I may trust the vessels, the simple labellumof Gymnadenia consists of three organs soldered together.
My case of the Aceras with the aborted labellum squeezed against stigma supports your view.
This is important, as it explains all the astounding projections on the labellum of Oncidium, Phalaenopsis, etc.
Does it not imply that all that part of the labellum which is supplied by vessels coming from a lateral bundle must be part of a primordially distinct organ, however closely the two may have become united?
It may be said that the lateral ducts in the labellum running into the antero-lateral ovarian bundle is no argument that the labellum consists of three organs blended together.
This anomaly [in Habenaria] is so far of importance, as it throws some doubt on the view which I have taken of the labellum being always an organ compounded of one petal and two petaloid stamens.
It would be troublesome for you to look at this, as it is always bothersome to catch the nectar secreting, and the cup of the labellum gets filled with water by gardener's watering.
Owing to the elasticity of the labellum and its consequent tendency to spring up when released, the bees, "as they left the flower, seemed to fly rather upwards.
Humblotii is a marvel of beauty--rose-pink, with a great crimson labellum exquisitely frilled, and a bright green column.
The labellum proves to be rather a trap than a bait.
The clustering flowers hang down, sepals and petals of dusky mauve, most gracefully frilled and twisted, encircling a great hollow labellum which ends in a golden drop.
Caraccas, with inky brown sepals and petals, brightest orange column, labellum of verdigris-green tipped with orange to match.
With Spiranthes autumnalis, the pollen-masses cannot be applied to the stigma until the labellumand rostellum have moved apart, and this movement is very slow.
In the genus Ophrys, the labellumalso takes strange shapes, sometimes resembling a bee, at others a fly, and at others a spider.
Orchis hircina) where the labellum is drawn out into a long tail, which looks like the tail and long body of the lizard, while the petals, which are long and narrow and bent back, look like the hind legs.
Man Orchis (Aceras anthropophora), where the labellum looks like a little man; and in the Lizard Orchis (A.
In the genera Orchis and Habenaria, the labellum is drawn out behind into a kind of spur (see e in fig.
The narrow petals and narrower sepals are pallid violet; the labellum has a faintly yellow throat, and the dull purple disc of Catt.
In this instance the sepals and petals are purest and smoothest olive green; the very long shovel-shaped labellum magenta-crimson, outlined and tipped with white.
Labellum long, narrow, all crimson of the darkest shade.
Harrisoniae in colour and size of sepal and petal; in general shape and in the hues of the labellum after L.
On either side the dark central line of the labellumis a pale blur.
Sepals and petals rose with a violet tinge; very broad labellum with a distinct neck, emerging from a short tawny tube--carmine in the throat, purplish at the edges.
From the tube, very long, the labellum opens squarely, purple, with a clouded throat and dusky yellow 'eyes.
Perrinii nivea--not less beautiful assuredly, though it has the imperfection, as an albino, of a pale pinklabellum and a yellow throat.
Labellum all evenly crimson with a narrow outline of white, gracefully frilled.
Charming also are the pale varieties of Skinneri, such as Lady Roberts, a dainty rose, the petals only just dark enough to show up the labellum almost white; and Phyllis of somewhat deeper rose.
I first introduced some flies into the labellum through the large upper opening," Darwin wrote, "but they were either too large or too stupid, and did not crawl out properly.
I then caught and placed within the labellum a very small bee which seemed of about the right size, namely Andrena parvula.
The labellum thus acts like one of those conical traps with the edges turned inwards, which are sold to catch beetles and cockroaches in London kitchens.
An insect which enters the labellum is thus compelled to crawl out by one of the two narrow passages, on the sides of which the pollen-masses and stigma are placed.
