Curtis Botanical – Plate 5609 – Two-coloured Notylia Orchid

Original antique black-and-white print from Curtis's Botanical Magazine — Plate 5609.

A miniature Central and South American orchid with tiny flowers arranged in long, dangling chains — each flower two-toned (bicolor) in white and purple. Notylia means 'back hump' in Greek, referring to the raised dorsal structure of the flower.

Mexican, Colombian, Brazilian heritage connection.

Uncolored plate. Condition consistent with age of volume. Each print is a unique piece of botanical history, printed on paper aged over a century.

This plate originated with the Royal Horticultural Society and passed through Wheldon & Wesley, one of the great natural history dealers of the 20th century. We came into the archive by accident and have spent the time since trying to share it as widely as we can.