DRYAD MYTHS AND LEGENDS
15 years ago, following the successful production of yellow snowdrops, I decided to look towards improved varieties of inverse poculiform (ipoc) snowdrops. As when I began my yellow breeding programme, there was a lack of cultivars in this section available, but I obtained as many as I could to give me a good gene pool to work with - the best being South Hayes and Corrin, but also Trymlet and Trimmer. Beginning in 2008, hand pollination gave me small numbers of seeds. More crosses followed in subsequent years, and the task of growing on and assessment began.
Bulking up these striking new cultivars was complicated by the propensity of some ipoc cultivars to revert to the ordinary form, or to lose the purity of the markings when chipped. This was a chancy affair, as some commercial varieties seemed to be immune, while others were variably susceptible, with no apparent reason why, and despite adjusting the size of the chips or other parameters. For this reason, I have been loth to chip my ipocs unless I had several bulbs already, to keep some in reserve unchipped in case of problems. This has led to there being a considerable delay in introduction of these varieties, the initial bulbs offered are all by natural division, until chipped bulbils have flowered and been checked to perform consistently for at least 2 seasons.
Descriptions of the registered cultivars are below, in alphabetical order. The registration details are in italics:
DRYAD ARGUS
This unique little snowdrop is something quite different from our other Myths and Legends, a true eye-poc!
A deliberate cross between Galanthus fosteri x G. woronowii ‘Cider with Rosie’, it has a distinctive pair of eye spots on each outer segment.
It is named after Argus, who in Greek mythology, had many eyes looking in all directions, his all-round vision making him the perfect watchman, set to guard one of Zeus’s target females by the jealous Hera.
DRYAD ARGUS is a compact snowdrop growing to 15cm with glossy, bright green arching leaves. The upright stems carry the neatly conical flowers, each with the two ‘eyes’ on each outer segment.
The outers are spoon-shaped, with a long claw, and slight mucro at the apex, while the reverse shows a large green oval beyond the claw, broken by white veins and margin.
The shorter, triangular inner segments have a sharply defined, shallow dark green ‘bridge’ over the sinus, while on the reverse, this extends towards the base, gradually fading to white before reaching it.
Flowering height 140 - 150mm (under glass, probably shorter outside). Leaves supervolute, arching, bright green, approximately 130mm long at flowering time.
Scapes upright. Ovary cylindrical, tapering abruptly to the pedicel, and narrowed at the junction with the outer segments. Ovary length:width approximately 8:5
Flower shape conical, forming an equilateral triangle in profile. Flower length including ovary 28mm. Straight pedicel equal to, or slightly exceeding, the length of the slightly curved green spathe.
Outer segments are spoon-shaped, smooth textured, 20mm long by 11mm wide, incurved laterally, with no sinus notch, but slightly mucronate at the apex. There is a 6mm long claw.
The marks on each outer segment comprise two bright green spots, sometimes slightly elongated to form shallow inverted U shapes. The inner surface carries a longitudinal green mark covering the central half of the segment, with paler veins and bordered with white.
The inner segments are 13 x 9 mm, the inner segment mark is a neat, dark green ‘bridge’ over the sinus. The inner surface mark mirrors the outer surface mark at the apex, but extends as green lines, fading gradually, almost to the base.
DRYAD ARTEMIS
DRYAD ARTEMIS is a beautiful and elegant lady with neat and graceful flowers and an upright habit, much admired. It is a mid-height to tall snowdrop growing to about 20-30cm high under glass, probably shorter in the open. It is vigorous and increases well. Artemis was the goddess of chastity and the hunt, and the sleek shape of the plant and purity of the crisp markings of the flower is a tribute to those qualities, while the inner mark is reminiscent of an ancient Greek bow. The icing on the cake is the delicious scent.
Flowering height 200 - 300mm. Leaves, plicate, erect, approximately 16mm x 170mm at flowering time. Scapes upright. Ovary cylindrical, length:width approximately 4:3. Flower shape conical. Flower length including ovary 23mm. Pedicel 80% the length of the straight spathe.
Outer segments 19mm long by 16mm wide, pure white with a deep green, indented, inverted horseshoe mark at the apex. This mark continues as deep green striations all the way to the base on the underside of the outer segments. ‘Claw’ 3mm.
The inner segments are laterally incurved, flared at the apex, with a deep, narrow sinus. The inner segment mark is a dark green inverted V, narrow at the basal end, and broad towards the apex of the segment. This mark continues as deep green striations all the way to the base on the underside of the inner segments. There are two faint green spots at the sides of the inner segments near the base. The flower is scented.
DRYAD BELLEROPHON
Bellerophon, in Greek mythology, tamed and rode Pegasus using a magic bridle, and together they had many victories exploiting the fact that Pegasus could allow them to attack from above. Unfortunately, his arrogance persuaded him that he should reside among the gods on Olympus, and his pride was followed by him falling off attempting to get there, which some might say was divine justice!
DRYAD BELLEROPHON, his snowdrop, is similar in stature and demeanour to his steed, Dryad Pegasus, but the ‘wings’ spread less widely to about 45 degrees to the axis of the flower.
The outer segments are broad, softly folded lengthwise and uptilted at the apex, dimpled and corrugated in texture. The outer mark is an indistinct inverted U near to the apex, separated widely from the small, more diffuse and paler oval ending just before the long claw, which clearly reveals the inner mark.
The inner segments are shorter than the outers, and bear a double mark. The apical mark is a clear-cut inverted V, with a white margin around the sinus, while the basal mark is two diffuse ovals, usually joined by a narrow bridge, giving the impression of two fierce eyes peering out.
G. x valentinii ‘South Hayes’ x ‘Spindlestone Surprise’
Flowering height 190 - 210mm (under glass, probably shorter outside). Leaves broad, plicate, arching, approximately 140mm long at flowering time.
Scapes upright. Ovary conical, narrowing at the junction with the outer segments and with a smooth transition to the pedicel. Ovary length:width approximately 9:5.
Basic flower shape conical., with the outer segments sweeping out and up. Flower length including ovary 30mm. Pedicel almost equal the length of the broad, slightly curved spathe.
Outer segments broad and paddle-shaped, curving out and upwards longitudinally, but downwards horizontally, 21mm long by 15mm wide, with a small sinus notch at the upturned apex. The 5mm long claw displays the inner segment eye markings. The textured outer segments are randomly ridged and corrugated.
There are two outer segment marks, the larger apical mark a rich green, indistinct broad inverted U, separated by a white margin from the apex. The smaller basal mark is a paler green soft oval at about a quarter of the way from the base of the segment. The inner surface bears a central green streak extending almost to the base.
The inner segments are 13 x 10 mm. There are two inner segment marks: the apical mark is a deep green inverted V, extending to 40% of the length of the segment. The basal mark is a bright green soft double oval, usually joined by a central narrow bridge, but sometimes separated, giving the appearance of ‘eyes’ The inner surface mark is rich green, with white veins and perimeter,in addition to a ‘shadow’ of the outer surface. The flower is honey scented.
DRYAD CERBERUS
DRYAD CERBERUS adds to the pantheon of our collectors’ favourite Myths and Legends series of inverse poculiforms, and has brought many requests when I’ve shown the flower in my lectures – it is truly eye-popping!
I remember seeing the first bud, obviously containing multiple flowers, and being astonished that when it opened, each of its three flowers was perfectly formed. Immediately, it was given the name of the three-headed dog of Greek legend Cerberus.
Of course, I wish I could tell you that it will do the same regularly, but although it has since had several twins, there have been no more triplets so far.
Nevertheless, even as a singleton it is a stunning plant, up to 30cm tall on sturdy stems over short plicate leaves which display the flowers well. The vigorous mature bulbs usually bear two scapes, with the flower on the secondary scape of different appearance to the primary, so you will still be getting at least two flowers for the price of one!
The outer segment mark is a beautiful deep emerald, formed from an apical inverted V, which is usually, but not always, joined to an oval zone almost reaching to the base. When fully open, the apices of the outer segments flip outwards at the sinus. The segments are of heavy texture with longitudinal corrugations. The inner segments are similarly marked.
Secondary flowers can come in many different variations, making a clump very intriguing and a real talking point.
As this is propagated by division only, there will only be two or three bulbs to spare each year.
Flowering height 275 - 330mm (under glass, probably shorter outside). Leaves plicate, erect to arching, approximately 130mm long at flowering time.
Scapes upright. Ovary cylindrical, tapering to pedicel, and slightly pinched at the junction with the outer segments. Length:width approximately 2:1.
Flower shape conical. Flower length including ovary 27mm. Pedicel 85% the length of the almost straight spathe.
Outer segments longitudinally ridged, 17mm long by 13mm wide, with a sinus notch at the apex, which is upturned. The mark on each outer segment deep green, narrow inverted V at apex, usually joined by a narrow bridge to an oval mark near base. No obvious ‘claw’.
The inner segments are 15 x 10 mm, inner segment mark is a deep green, narrow inverted U at apex, joined by a narrow bridge to an oval reaching to the base. The flower is honey scented.
Characterised by the occasional stem bearing 2 or 3 flowers per scape on separate pedicels arising from a common spathe. Mature bulbs usually produce 2 scapes, flower on secondary scape usually with a different amount of green on the outer segments
DRYAD DEMETER
DRYAD DEMETER has solid virescent characteristics, more oil paint than watercolour! Demeter is the Greek goddess of agriculture and vegetation (also known as Anesidora, sending gifts up from the earth). In the ancient Greek religion of Hellenismos she is associated with the colour green. I believe this snowdrop redefines the notion of virescent. The outer segments are prettily flanged at the edges, white with a solid emerald green mark reaching almost to the base, and with a notch at the apex. The inner segments are all green with a narrow white rim and narrow sinus.
It is a short to mid-height snowdrop growing to about 16cm high under glass, probably shorter in the open. Leaves are short at flowering time, displaying the erect flower stems beautifully. The bulbs increase well.
Flowering height 150-170mm. Leaves, plicate, slightly spreading, approximately 100mm x 17mm at flowering time. Scapes upright. Ovary cylindrical, length:width approximately 3:2. Flower shape pyramidal. Flower length including ovary 24mm. Pedicel 80% the length of the curved spathe.
The outer segments are slightly flared outwards at the edges, and are approximately 15mm long by 11mm wide, emerald green with a white edge and apical indentation. The mark is the same on the underside of the outer segments. No obvious claw.
The inner segments are also slightly flared at the margins, with a deep, narrow sinus. The inner segment mark is the same as the outer segments, the upper and underside of the outer segments being almost entirely green, other than a white margin. The flower is scented.
DRYAD ECHO
DRYAD ECHO is named for the beautiful Nymph of the woods and mountains, cursed to repeat the last words she heard. Much like Narcissus and his pool, this is a snowdrop you could gaze at endlessly!
Echo is a heavenly, statuesque and imposing snowdrop, easily recognised by a mysterious pale ‘echo’ spot above the dark green mark on the outers, and a corresponding pale mirroring of the dark inverted V on the inners. It is honey-scented, vigorous and increases well here.
Flowering height 200 - 300mm (under glass, probably shorter outside). Leaves plicate, erect to arching, approximately 18 x 170mm at flowering time.
Scapes upright. Ovary cylindrical, length:width approximately 3:2. Flower shape conical. Flower length including ovary 26mm. Pedicel 75% the length of the straight spathe.
Outer segments longitudinally ridged, 17mm long by 12mm wide. The mark on each outer segment a dark green, narrow inverted U at apex, and a pale 'echo' spot half way between apical mark and base. ‘Claw’ 3.5mm.
The inner segments are 14 x 8mm, inner segment mark is a dark green, acutely pointed, narrow inverted V at apex, which merges into a pale green 'echo' mirror image almost reaching to the base. The flower is honey scented.
DRYAD HERA
Hera was the queen of the gods in Greek mythology, wife to Zeus, with whom she had a very complicated and stormy relationship, characterised by Zeus taking many adulterous lovers, and Hera’s revenge upon them. If ever there was a disfunctional family, this was it! Hera is best known for her quite understandable jealousy against the women involved, although often they were tricked into it by Zeus. Bafflingly, Hera is the goddess of marriage.
Our Dryad Hera is very upright in both her stems and leaves, and shorter-growing than Zeus at only 20cm under glass. In contrast to Zeus’s bold stripe, Hera’s outer markings are appropriately broader and curvier, with a pronounced feminine ‘waist’, which also distinguishes her from Dryad Demeter, whose outer mark is very smooth in outline.
Flowering height 175 - 190mm (under glass, probably shorter outside). Leaves plicate, erect, approximately 120mm long at flowering time, displaying the flowers well.
Scapes upright. Ovary cylindrical, tapering to pedicel, and slightly pinched at the junction with the outer segments. Ovary length:width approximately 5:4.
Flower shape conical. Flower length including ovary 17mm. Pedicel 60% the length of the straight spathe.
Outer segments longitudinally ridged, 12mm long by 11mm wide, with a sinus notch at the apex, which is upturned. The mark on each outer segment bright green, deeper to the base, extending full length of segment, except for a white rim, and narrowing about two thirds from base to form a ‘waist’. No ‘claw’. The inner surface bears a similar mark extending to the base, but only slightly ‘waisted’.
The inner segments are 11 x 8 mm, inner segment mark similar to the outer segments, but less narrowed at the waist. The inner surface is almost entirely rich green, with white veins and perimeter.
DRYAD JUPITER
Jupiter was the king of the gods in Roman mythology, and this name was chosen for our new inverse poculiform because of its regal, upright bearing and crown-shaped outer mark.
DRYAD JUPITER grows to about 25 cm under cover, the strong stems bear large flowers, held well above the leaves for maximum impact.
Each of the outer segments is broad and convex leading to a full, rounded outline to the flower, while the edge of the outers is tilted upwards to form a rim which reaches all the way around the perimeter except for the basal ‘claw’. The texture is distinctly ridged, so that the outer mark, a rich green arc, extends along the furrows to produce the ‘crown’ which is a signature of this variety. There is a small sinus notch.
The inner segments feature a green X mark, of which the apical half is deep green, while the basal half is pale and diffuse, whereas the inner surfaces are almost entirely striped with green.
The plants increase well, forming large bulbs which flower consistently, and will make an imposing and majestic statement in the garden.
Flowering height 240 - 270mm (under glass, probably shorter outside). Leaves broad, plicate, erect, approximately 120mm long at flowering time.
Scapes upright. Ovary cylindrical, and slightly pinched at the junction with the outer segments. Length:width approximately 3:2.
Flower shape conical. Flower length including ovary 23mm. Straight pedicel 110% the length of the slightly curved spathe.
Outer segments thick-textured, broad and paddle-shaped, longitudinally ridged, 15mm long by 13mm wide, with a sinus notch at the apex. The outer margin of the outer segments is upturned along the entire perimeter except the 2mm claw.
The mark on each outer segment is a rich green, broad inverted U, separated by a white margin from the apex, the green extending towards the base as points along the furrows to almost halfway to the base. The inner surface bears a green mark extending almost to the base.
The inner segments are 11 x 10 mm, inner segment mark is X-shaped, the apical half appearing as a rich green, broad inverted V, separated by a white margin from the apex, which bleeds into a faint pale green basal half, stronger along the veins. The inner surface is almost entirely rich green, with white veins and perimeter. The flower is honey scented.
DRYAD LETO
In Greek mythology, Leto was a goddess who caught Zeus’s perpetually wandering eye, and conceived twins by him. Knowing that Hera, wife of Zeus, was famously jealous and cruel in her vengeance against Zeus’s other lovers, she knew that she had to keep the pregnancy secret, and to find a place hidden from Hera in which to give birth. Her twin children were Apollo and Artemis.
Our Dryad Leto, lovely enough to catch Zeus’s attention, also holds a secret – she was deliberately bred to be a prospective mother of yellow inverse poculiforms (ipocs for short), having as her own parents Wendy’s Gold and Trym (the ancestor of all ipocs found in gardens). This means that when crossed with any yellow snowdrop, you have a chance of a yellow ipoc in the seedlings. This she has done in our breeding programme, when crossed with Spindlestone Surprise, and Dryad Venus, and hopefully some of our other seedlings that have not yet reached flowering size.
We released Dryad Leto straight to our summer list, by-passing ebay, and at a special price, to encourage other growers to try breeding new varieties themselves, and to discover what fun it can be to see those first yellow marks on the outside of the first bud.
Hand pollinate with any yellow in your collection, or, if you trust the bees, plant her out amongst some yellow cultivars and hope they know what thery’re doing (Really? You trust the bees?)
Beautiful in her own right, Dryad Leto’s flowers betray her amorous background with striking, large emerald hearts on both the inner and outer segments, gracefully pendant from stems 25cm high, displaying well above the arching, plicate leaves.
Flowering height 250 - 300mm (under glass, probably shorter outside). Leaves broad, plicate, arching, approximately 150mm long at flowering time.
Scapes upright. Ovary cylindrical, tapering slightly to the junction with the outer segments. Ovary length:width approximately 1.4:1
Flower shape conical, forming an equilateral triangle in profile. Flower length including ovary 20mm. Straight pedicel equal to the length of the slightly curved spathe.
Outer segments are longitudinally ridged, 13mm long by 10mm wide, with a sinus notch at the apex. The outer margin of the outer segments is upturned along the lower perimeter.
The mark on each outer segment is a rich green, inverted heart with acute point, extending 2/3 of the way to the base. The inner surface carries a longitudinal green mark covering the central half of the segment, with paler veins and bordered with white.
The inner segments are 12 x 8 mm, the inner segment mark is a green, elongated inverted heart extending ¾ of the way to the base. The inner surface is similarly marked to the outer segments.
This variety was bred to be used as a parent in the breeding of yellow-marked inverse poculiforms.
DRYAD PEGASUS
This seedling, and DRYAD BELLEROPHON, have long been admired here at the nursery for their ‘flyaway’ outer segments, giving the impression that they are about to take flight. They have been named, appropriately, after Pegasus, the winged horse, and his rider, Bellerophon.
PEGASUS is one of the best-known characters in Greek mythology, having many adventures with his rider including slaying the Chimera. After being brought to Olympus, he was used to carry Zeus’ thunderbolts.
His snowdrop, DRYAD PEGASUS, spreads it’s wing-like outer segments widely, displaying the dark green inner marking in sharp contrast to the white margins of the outer segments. Growing to about 20cm under glass, the slightly arching plicate leaves are only half the height of the flowering stems, meaning the flowers appear to fly above the foliage.
The outer segments are twice as long as the inners, and deeply folded in half lengthways, while the side view shows the segments also curving upwards towards the apex, and a final flick at the end. The texture is waxy and corrugated lengthwise. The marks on the outer segment are a rich green, deep inverted U reaching to about halfway to the base, then a separate diffuse, apple-green central stripe.
The inner segments are not flared, and bear a deep green, sharply waisted mark for almost the entire length, except for a crisp white margin.
Flowering height 190 - 210mm (under glass, probably shorter outside). Leaves narrow, plicate, upright to slightly arching, approximately 110mm long at flowering time.
Scapes upright. Ovary conical, narrowing at the junction with the outer segments and slightly shouldered into the pedicel. Ovary length:width approximately 6:5.
Basic flower shape conical., with the outer segments sweeping out and up. Flower length including ovary approximately 26mm. Pedicel equal or exceeding the length of the straight spathe.
Outer segments paddle-shaped, strongly folded down laterally, and curving out and upwards longitudinally, 19mm long by 10mm wide (folded), with a small sinus notch at the upturned apex. Claw 2.5mm long. The heavily textured outer segments are strongly longitudinally ridged and puckered.
There are two outer segment marks, the larger apical mark a rich green, indistinct broad inverted U, separated by a white margin from the apex. The small basal mark is a pale green indistinct line from about a third of the way from the base of the segment, almost reaching the base. The inner surface bears a central green streak extending from the base, expanding to diffusely mirror the outer mark at the apex.
The inner segments are 12 x 9 mm, with a deep, narrow sinus, and upturned rim. The single inner mark is dark green, extending almost from the base up to a crisp white margin at the apex. It is very strongly narrowed to a ‘waist’ about two thirds of the way from the base. The inner surface mark is dark green, with a white perimeter, in addition to a ‘shadow’ of the mark on the outer surface.
DRYAD TERPSICHORE
DRYAD TERPSICHORE is named for one of the nine Muses of Greek legend, who was also the goddess of dance.
Her snowdrop has long been a favourite here due to the fluid, informal bearing of the flowers, each adopting an individual pose with slightly twisted segments giving the impression of whirling movement, skirts flaring as if they are dancing, even when there is no breeze.
The artistry continues with the outer segment mark which is a painterly ‘splash’ along the lower third of the midline, stopping short of the up-tilted apical sinus, while the inner segments bear an inverted deep green heart. The flowers are sweetly scented.
The plants are neat and compact, with upright, plicate leaves which are short at flowering time, with the large flowers borne on upright stems reaching to 20cm in height.
In the legend, Terpsichore was thought to be the mother of the Sirens, whose haunting song lured sailors to their doom, but the siren-call of this romantic flower can only lead to delight as the flowers appear to swirl and spin in a silent dance.
Flowering height 200 - 240mm (under glass, probably shorter outside). Leaves, plicate, fairly upright, approximately 90mm long at flowering time.
Scapes upright. Ovary cylindrical, tapering only slightly to the junction with the outer segments. Ovary length:width approximately 5.3
Flower shape conical, forming an equilateral triangle in profile. Flower length including ovary 35mm. Slightly curved pedicel about 75% of the length of the slightly curved spathe.
Outer segments 24mm long by 16 mm wide, thick-textured, broad and paddle-shaped, slightly puckered and longitudinally ridged with an upturned, shallow sinus notch at the apex, and raised mid-line. The lateral edges curve under, before the perimeter flicks out approaching the apex. There is a pronounced ‘shoulder’ where the outer segments flare away from the 3mm claw at their base.
The mark on each outer segment is a mid-green, informal ‘splash’, extending from the mid-point towards, but not reaching, the apex. The inner surface carries a narrow, longitudinal green mark with veined with white, ending before the apex.
The inner segments are longitudinally ridged, 15 x 10 mm, with a deep and narrow sinus. The inner segment mark is a dark green, elongated inverted heart extending halfway to the base. The inner surface is similarly marked to the outer segments, except that the green band covers about 60% of the width of the segment.
DRYAD VENUS
DRYAD VENUS is a favourite with all who have seen it for its curvaceous, shapely flowers with a flirty frill around the outer segments on mature flowers. The mark on the outer segments is shaped like an inverted heart. The inner segments are not willingly revealed, but if you have a peek you will see that the inner mark is a deeper green 'X' or kiss. With such a ravishing, sensuous shape and markings the only fitting name was Venus, as the Goddess of Love and Beauty.
It is a mid-height snowdrop growing to about 20cm high under glass, probably shorter in the open. At flowering time the plicate leaves are short and display the flowers well. It has a upright habit, and the spathe is erect. To add to all this, not only is it scented, but it probably carries yellow genes having Wendy's Gold and Corrin as parents, so will be useful in breeding programmes for yellow poculiforms.
Flowering height 150 - 200mm. Leaves, plicate, spreading, approximately 70mm x 17mm at flowering time. Scapes upright. Ovary cylindrical, length:width approximately 8:5. Flower shape pyramidal. Flower length including ovary 22mm. Pedicel 90% the length of the relatively short, straight spathe.
The outer segments are usually flattened and flared outwards at the edges, giving a frilled appearance, and are approximately 14mm long by 14mm wide, white with an emerald green, inverted heart mark at the apex, sometimes bleeding back towards the base. This mark continues as green striations all the way to the base on the underside of the outer segments. ‘Claw’ 3mm.
The inner segments are also slightly flared at the margins, with a deep, narrow sinus. The inner segment mark is a deeper green X, the underside of the outer segments being almost entirely green, other than a white margin. The flower is scented.
DRYAD ZEUS
DRYAD ZEUS has been a nursery favourite since its first flowering, easily spotted amongst all its peers due to its bold streak of deep green running down the centre of the outer segments, leading to it being named after Zeus, the god of the sky and thunder in Greek mythology, well-known for sending down bolts of lightning from the heavens. This snowdrop is equally striking!
Flowering at up to 270mm high (under glass, probably shorter outside), the flowers are held on upright pedicels above arching, plicate leaves which are half the height of the pedicels at flowering time. The mark on each outer segment is a parallel sided, rich green longitudinal stripe covering the central one third of the segment, rounded towards the apex, at which there is a white notch, and fading to paler yellowish green just before reaching the base. The stripe usually has a very slight ‘waist’ halfway along, occasionally breaking into a double mark.
We will be offering multi-nosed bulbs, which increase well and will soon become an electrifying feature in your collection!
Zeus was bred from Wendy’s Gold x South Hayes and is easy to tell apart from Demeter, which is from Trymlet x South Hayes. The shape of the outer segment marks are different and they have a very different leaf habit.
You may have noticed that Zeus has a yellow as a mother, so it is worth pollinating with another yellow to see what you get!
Flowering height 210-270mm (under glass, probably shorter outside). Leaves fairly narrow, plicate, arching, approximately 160 mm long at flowering time.
Scapes upright. Ovary cylindrical, tapering to the junction with the pedicel. Ovary length:width approximately 1.75:1
Flower shape narrowly conical, forming an isosceles triangle in profile. Flower length including ovary 23mm. Straight pedicel equal or just less than the length of the slightly curved spathe.
Outer segments are fairly smooth, pear-shaped, 17mm long by 10mm wide, with only a slight sinus notch at the apex, and no obvious ‘claw’. The outer margin of the outer segments is upturned along the apical perimeter.
The mark on each outer segment is a rich green, longitudinal stripe covering the central one third of the segment, rounded towards the apex, at which there is a white notch, and fading to paler yellowish green just before reaching the base. The stripe usually has a slight ‘waist’ halfway along, occasionally breaking into a double mark.
The inner surface is similarly marked to the outer surface, with paler veins.
The inner segments are 13 x 7 mm, similarly marked to the outer surface, but with a deep narrow sinus bordered with white.
