| + | Habenaria (Greek, a rein or strap; referring to the shape of parts of the flower). Orchidaceae, tribe Ophrydeae. Rein Orchis. Terrestrial leafy herbs, sometimes grown in bog-gardens and naturalized in moist places. |
| + | Tubers usually undivided, rarely lobed: fls. in terminal racemes or spikes, rarely solitary; sepals sub equal, free or cohering at base, erect or spreading; petals usually smaller, often 2-lobed; lip spreading or drooping, long- or short-spurred at base; its blade entire or 3-5- fid.; column very short, sessile: rostellum usually 1- toothed or lobed; glands naked; anther-cells parallel or divergent: caps, ovoid or oblong, erect. The lateral lobes are sometimes fringed, giving the fl. a graceful appearance.—Species about 400, very widely distributed in temperate and tropical regions. |
| + | Few species of Habenaria are of much horticultural importance, especially in this country. Some of the exotic kinds enjoy some favor as stove plants in England, while there are a number of hardy North American species which can be recommended for outdoor cultivation in boggy places. H. Susanna?, H. cornea, H. militaris and other East Indian species are best grown in a moderately warm house, needing good light and a fair amount of water. It is recommended to repot them after the resting season in a compost of peat, moss, loam and crock dust, with the tuber resting upon the crocked-up bottom of the pot and the growing point just beneath the soil. They should then be given a good supply of water until after flowering. These habenarias are much like bletia in their requirements. The most popular species at present seem to be H. ciliaris, H. fimbriata and H. psycodes, but these give a very imperfect conception of the beauties of the genus, although in the opinion of some persons, H. ciliaris is the showiest orchid in temperate North America. The native species are procurable through collectors and dealers in native plants: foreign species through Dutch bulb-growers; and H. radiata through dealers in Japanese plants. |