Charles Wesley Powell

Some combination of events prompted a relatively unconnected Charles L. Pullen to move 1,600 miles (2,600 km) south to Panama. Exactly when and why he reinvented himself as Charles Wesley Powell is a mystery. In a 1928 biography of Powell, some elements of his pre-Panama days are not supported by facts: leading one to wonder why and by whom (probably Powell, for reasons best known by himself) the details of his life in the U. S. were altered.[10] From 1907 to 1927 he would support himself by working in various positions in a Canal Zone dispensary (basic medical facility) or hospital. With a salary of $60 per month, he started out dispensing quinine (antimalarial drug) at a labor camp in old Gatun (now covered by 80 feet of rock and earth under Gatun Dam). It is not surprising he would be hired for a position in which precise record keeping was important. To better communicate with patients, he studied Spanish. Soon he was certified as a nurse. The front side of his employment record; immigration records in 1913 and 1926 (including addresses in the U.S. of daughter Bessie Johnson and the MBG); and the 1920 U.S. Census (including married daughter Addie in his household) find him using variations of the name Charles Wesley Powell.[1][22][23][24]

"Pescadore Grande"

"In 1908 Powell transferred to Porto Bello [on the Caribbean Sea] as a dispensary assistant and took up fishing as a hobby, using a row-boat. Early 1910 finds Powell working in a dispensary in [old] Gorgona (now submerged 80 feet below the surface of Gatun Lake) and fishing in Panama Bay. The local fishermen called him 'Pescadore Grande' (great fisherman). Switching his fishing from Panama Bay to Gatun Lake soon followed."[10]

Gatun Lake 1912

Dove orchid

The immense Gatun Lake, a part of the Panama Canal, was created when the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers dammed the Rio Chagres in the early 1900s. About 1912, Powell and his botanist friend Abel A. Hunter (1877-1935), bought a motor boat for fishing in the newly formed lake.[25][26] "The waters had risen until they presented a surface through which the upper portions of thousands of tall trees protruded. Their craft cut paths between treetops. Hunter exclaimed, 'Look, Powell–orchids! Oodles of orchids! Treefuls of orchids! Let's get some of 'em.'"[27] "The men knew the dove orchids would soon be submerged by the rising waters of the Chagres River. 'We were rewarded by a boat-load of the 'El Spirito Santo' or Holy Ghost Orchid.' The orchids were brought back to Gorgona and disseminated over the Canal Zone, the United States, and Europe. Soon, the level of the Lake was encroaching on Gorgona, and necessitated a transferring of the workers to Balboa [Pacific side]."[10]

"I can remember my first orchid, I was just looking over the country one Sunday, about 18 months after I got down there when I saw it way up near the top of a tall tree. 'You're certainly a beauty,' I said. 'I must have you.' While I was standing there wondering how on earth to climb that tree a bare-footed Indian came along. 'I'll give you 25 cents gold to get that flower,' I said. The Indian used the vines to swing to the tree [like Tarzan] and cut off the orchid."[21] "For about five years, I suppose, I would pull the orchids apart and study them, but never keep the plants."[21] "He studied the orchid intelligently: learning, throughout the years about orchids from books, worldwide correspondence, and visitors."[27] About the books he remarked: "I couldn't read a French or German newspaper, but with a little Latin I could make out the technical works."[21] In February 1916, Powell was pondering his many memorable orchid-related experiences: echoing in his mind, no doubt, were those at Gatun Lake. A watershed moment occurred; "he lost no time starting an orchid garden."[27][28] "Powell started his collection on his front porch. When that got so packed with plants he couldn't move, he started an annex by building a tier of shelves on the rear wall of his house."[21] "It wasn't long until both were overflowing and he had to construct a latticed roof and screened-in, vine-clad, wire mesh walls."[21] "The establishing of the garden was actuated by the act of Mrs. A. H. Bryan presenting Mr. Powell with about a thousand plants, and a further donation by Charles H. Beetham."[10] There was nothing published on growing orchids outdoors; Powell pioneered the techniques.

References to the power and allure of the wild orchid are peppered throughout the world's cultural, historical, and contemporary beliefs. As far back as the fifth century BC, the Chinese philosopher Confucius used wild orchids as symbolism to deepen the meaning of his poems; "he compared the virtuous man to an orchid. Echoing this thought, Chinese artists sometimes placed orchids in their work to evoke the Confucian qualities of humility, integrity, refinement—in fact, all the virtues of a perfectly cultured gentleman and scholar."[29][30] "The ancient Greeks associated it with virility, and the Aztecs were said to drink a mixture of the vanilla orchid and chocolate to give them power and strength." To others, "orchids possess a sensual, quasi-mystical aura: thought of as sexual, wild, rare creatures."[31][32] In the 1939 book The Orchid Hunters, Norman MacDonald wrote: "For when a man falls in love with orchids, he'll do anything to possess the one he wants. It's like chasing a green-eyed woman [being consumed by desire] or taking cocaine. A sort of madness..."[33] In a 2002 NOVA interview, Susan Orlean (Author, The Orchid Thief, non-fiction) revealed her research findings: "Nothing in science can account for the way people feel about orchids. Orchids arouse passion more than romance. They are the sexiest flowers on Earth."[34] And in 2006, an article about "Fanatical collectors driving a £6 billion black market of 'trophy' specimens" was published in The Telegraph. In this article, Eric Hansen (Author, Orchid Fever, non-fiction) recalls a flower-grower telling him: 'You can get off alcohol, drugs, women, food and cars, but once you're hooked on orchids you're finished. You never get off orchids. Never.'"[31]

Specifically, the prevailing belief about orchids during Powell's lifetime was described thusly: "There is one plant, which stands so far above all the rest for unique beauty and grandeur that it is universally regarded as the aristocrat of the floral kingdom, namely, the orchid. The Central American orchids, above all others in North or South America, are regarded as furnishing the climax [occupying the highest point] and should be called the 'aristocrat of the aristocrats.'"[35]

Falling under the wild orchid's powerful spell, Powell fit the profile of a classic orchid hunter with one exception–he was not interested in selling his treasures–he wanted to collect them.[28] Some biographical sources indicate Powell collected orchids beginning with his arrival in Panama in 1907; however, it seems more likely his collecting began after he settled in Balboa.[36] At first he collected locally; ultimately, his objective was to "assemble a complete collection of Panama species."[37] "Powell and Hunter went on collecting trips in the Chiriquí region in 1918, 1920, and 1922; Powell went there without Hunter in 1924.[38] Powell's last collecting trip was to the Veraguas Province in March, 1925."[10] In 1931, George T. Moore, director of the MBG wrote: "The perils and experiences of the early orchid hunters were as thrilling and romantic as those of any arctic explorer."[35] About the typical orchid hunter, Susan Orlean had this to say: "Orchid hunting hasn't really changed over the last 200 years and orchid hunters haven't really changed. You have to be brave; you have to be somewhat foolish."[34]

George Harry Pring (see below) elaborated on collecting bucket orchids: "Removing a clump of these plants may be compared with disturbing a hornet's nest, but, according to Mr. Powell, who had experienced both adventures, the hornets are easier to combat than the thousands of small stinging ants."[39] Pring then told of a fourth collection technique used by Powell and Hunter; one Pring himself used. "In many instances, to dislodge the epiphyte [an "air plant", growing non-parasitically, sometimes 40–50 feet from the ground] without climbing the tree, it is necessary to cut a sapling with a forked-top as long as the distance up to where it clings. Its roots in some cases are three to four feet long, and great dexterity is required to dislodge it as to not cause injury. During this operation, clouds of dust, granulated bark and moss which rain down from above almost blind the collector."[40] "These men got many fine specimens through this method."[27]

Found in Powell's garden

Epidendrum fragrans

Vanilla on trellises

As his garden expanded over the next few years, Powell's orchid documentation and explorations took a new path. All the while working full-time in the dispensary, the care, documenting, and pursuit of his beloved orchids occupied most of his spare time—quite an accomplishment. "Although 193 [now 215] of Powell’s specimens were recorded without dates; the first dated records of collections began in 1915. In early 1918, realizing that many of his plants were not described in his books, he made contact with R. Allen Rolfe at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, England."[5] A package "C. W. P." (Powell) sent Rolfe was acknowledged by the latter via The Orchid Review (May 1918): "The package duly arrived, but was badly broken and the contents missing. Perhaps further materials can be sent. In practice we find the most successful method is to press small specimens in a fold of blotting paper and enclose in an ordinary letter."[41][42] On a February 12, 1919, specimen (Mormodes powellii Schltr.) sent to Rolfe, Powell remarked: "Metallic bees nearly ate it up before I could cut it."[43]

Herbarium specimen preparation

Transitioning from hobbyist to horticulturist, Powell needed a way to forward his finds to researchers and preserve them for future reference. He studied the standardized method for specimen preservation and storage. Specimens were dried by extracting moisture in a device called a plant press; however in one instance he noted: "Live flower mashed flat with finger."[44] Although he was initially cautioned against it, he added artificial heat (an electric light bulb or electric iron) which aided in the quality of the results in the tropics.[37][39][45] In a letter to Rolfe, Powell asks: "It [the drying] was done over an Electric Light Bulb while lighted up. I have done a lot of experimenting in the drying of flowers, both with stove and sun heat, but this seems to have been the most successful. How is it for a Specimen?"[46] The pressed plant could then be affixed to a mounting sheet (11 X 17 inch paper). Label data (essential documentary information) was added. Once label data was added to the mounting sheet, it was ready for shipping. The mounting sheet (specimen) became a candidate for long-term storage in a repository (like the Harvard University Herbaria). Once accepted, the mounting sheet would then be known as a herbarium specimen. At first he sent just the preserved flowers, but soon he was asked to send preserved plants that included the roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and seeds. Powell painstakingly crafted his mounting sheets; he enhanced them with fieldnotes, illustrations, flower cutouts, and photographs. His original sheets would stand on their own as works of art; over time they have evolved into beautiful, remarkably detailed documents.

Brassia caudata/Spider orchid
is also found in Florida, U.S.

Herbarium specimen examples

Many of Powell's earliest specimens–most now available as digitized images–are found in the herbarium at Kew; some records there include letters from Powell to Rolfe.[47] Over 400 distinct examples of Powell's collection records, many with images of his herbarium specimens, are found in a virtual herbarium at the Harvard University Herbaria and Libraries.[48] Tropicos (maintained by the MBG), The Swedish Museum of Natural History, and other repositories (to a lesser extent) provide additional sources for online viewing of herbarium specimens.

For No. 1 Oncidium oerstedii with photographs.

For No. 20 Cyncnoches guttulatum with photos, letter, sprays. Curated at Kew Royal Botanic Gardens, England.

For his spider orchid (Brassia caudata) with cutout.[49]

For his Prosthechea fragrans (Sw.) W.E. Higgins showing the evolution of a herbarium specimen.[50]

Herbarium specimen examples with hand-drawn illustrations

Powell's signature, CWP. (CW is overlapping), is found in the lower right.[51]

Epidendrum fragrans enhanced with Powell's flower-only drawing[52]

Information included in Powell's label data and fieldnotes

In July 1918, Powell began to send Rolfe a series of herbarium specimens. It took roughly 8 months for a portion (29) to be identified, communication slowed; Rolfe was in ill health and died before he had a chance to [fully] study Powell's collection.[5][53] Rolfe's death was a great disappointment to Powell; he had derived much encouragement and help from Rolfe's kindly cooperation and guidance."[37]

"Parasita Grande"

Accustomed to dogged pursuit in genealogy research, Powell pressed on. He realized the need to systematically document the "Orchids of Panama" for study.[54] He was energized by the thrill of the hunt. His fellow researchers began to take notice. Powell was persistent, he infused enthusiasm in his dealings, and he instilled in his fellow researchers the confidence that—he had something to offer in the confusing world of the Orchidaceae. "Mr. Powell's enthusiasm for these plants has caused him to be locally termed 'the Orchid Man' ('Parasita Grande'), and his garden is one of the show places in Balboa to both the botanist and tourist."[39][55] Perhaps while acting as tour guide, the idea sprouted—to someday donate his garden; little did he know how much joy and peaceful beauty his expanding orchid collection would one day bring to visitors of a botanical garden 2,300 miles (3,700 km) away. The reputation of Powell's Horticultural Garden, Balboa, Canal Zone began to grow on a global scale.

Exterior garden view. Powell on left, dressed in white, for scale

"Orchids are surprisingly difficult to see in the wild; the majority being epiphytic, growing high in the canopy on trunks, branches or in crotches out of sight."[56] In Powell's garden they were at eye-level—a sight to behold. "A rustic gate gives entrance to this miniature paradise. The gate posts are formed of dead jungle trees covered with Orchids. The walks, bordered with beautiful ferns and lilies, lead between Orchid-covered dead trees that are a riot of colour."[41] "Much painstaking labor has converted it into a miniature jungle—plus all the beauty and minus all the dangers of a real jungle. There are few thrills equal to seeing in the early morning a host of these beautiful flowers that have suddenly burst in full blossom, nodding a merry good morning."[4]

Six images are hosted in an online exhibit by Missouri Digital Heritage: contributions by Missouri Botanical Garden.

• Powell Orchid Garden. Balboa, Panama #1. Powell relaxing in a chair[57]
• Powell Orchid Garden #2. Powell dwarfed by the size of his garden[58]

Thumbnail image of Powell captured in 1923, examining a night-blooming cereus from his garden: hosted by the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation.[63]

The relationships between the orchid experts of the time were complicated; mutual respect, admiration, cooperation and financial support of each other were interwoven with intense competition, rivalry, and double-dealing.[5][64] Regarding multi-country cooperation via plant exchanges, in 1938, the Missouri Botanical Garden Bulletin reported: "A system of exchange of plants with other countries, begun by Mr. Powell, had been discontinued for some years. During the year it was re-established and exchanges were made with nine countries."[65]

Powell and Schlechter

Beginning in 1919, thanks to a tip from a correspondent in Costa Rica, German botanist, taxonomist, and author Rudolf Schlechter (curator of the herbarium at the Berlin Botanical Garden) began corresponding with and receiving numerous duplicate specimens (ones originally sent to Rolfe) from Powell. "Schlechter immediately recognized the importance of the plant collection, and encouraged Mr. Powell in every way to send in further specimens."[42] "Schlechter took up the taxonomy (classification) of Panamanian orchids in August, 1920."[10] "An astonishing number of plants proved to be entirely new to science (not less than 75)."[39][42] Schlechter added: "Just as important as the new species is the rediscovery of a whole series of species, having originally been discovered by Warszewicz, but never found again."[6] "Schlechter wrote to Powell: 'Your exploration of the orchid flora of Panama is one of the most important facts in orchidology during the later years.'"[5] Schlechter named dozens of species in Powell's honor (see Schlechter's author abbreviation, Schltr., in "Legacy" below). Waiting until after Rolfe's death (1921), in 1922, Schlechter published his 95-page Orchidaceae Powellianae Panamenses (collections by C. Powell) part of which transcribes as follows: "It is sure that no one has made such a contribution to our knowledge of these orchids as Mr. Powell through his 'exceedingly mighty collection,' which contains not only species with conspicuous flowers, but also those in which the size of the blooms scarcely exceeds that of a pin-head."[6][39] "We cannot thank Mr. Powell enough for this self-sacrificing research that he has undertaken in spite of his age. For the orchidology of Panama he has done more than any of his predecessors."[39] Sadly, most of Schlechter's specimens were destroyed in 1943, during the bombing of Berlin, in the Second World War.[66][67]

Powell, Oakes Ames, and Blanche Ames

In 1922, Powell began relations with Harvard University's Oakes Ames, a botanist, and the most eminent American orchid authority at the time. Due to intense competition with Schlechter, "Ames went so far as to sign with Powell a formal contract in which the latter would collect orchids for him for U.S. $100 per month. From that point forward, Powell only sent Schlechter duplicate specimens. Ames, his wife Blanche, and daughter Pauline traveled to Central America in early 1923, partly to meet Powell and see his garden; after this visit, Ames received some of Powell’s specimens. Of these, 29 were new to science.[3] Based on an orchid from Powell's garden, Blanche, recognized as an outstanding botanical illustrator, enriched one of her husband's specimens by painting this captivating watercolor. That same year, Ames praised the quality of Powell’s work: 'His indefatigable zeal is one of the joys in my contemplation of Central American orchidology. His specimens are often works of art.'"[5] Ames dedicated several orchid species to Powell and cited Powell's specimens throughout his Schedulae Orchidianae (1922-1930) publications. Today, the Economic Herbarium of Oakes Ames at Harvard University has a searchable specimen database which includes many of Powell's original works.[68]

Powell and Lankester

In September 1922, Powell sent a letter to Ames introducing "my good friend" es:Charles H. Lankester. Lankester, a British coffee grower, naturalist, and orchidologist, was living in Cartago, Costa Rica, a country with great potential for new to science orchid species. Powell facilitated what would become a "deep friendship between Lankester and Ames that lasted 25 years."[5] Traveling to Costa Rica in 1925, Powell visited Lankester, who in turn traveled to Panama in 1927. "I have just spent a fortnight with my fellow sufferer from orchiditis, CWP, + it was a very delightful time of talk and talk and then talk."[5] Lankester's orchid garden transformed over time into the Lankester Botanical Gardens. Located outside of Cartago, Costa Rica, the garden is now operated by the University of Costa Rica as a research center and is open to tourists.[69]

Powell and Standley

In the 1924 Annual Report to the Board of Regents of The Smithsonian Institution, Paul C. Standley reported about Powell: "Years of experience, through which the best methods have been discovered, combined with the attention to details such as other collectors rarely attain, have enabled him to make specimens which are unsurpassed. Among the vines that cover the trellises in the Powell garden are various plants of Vanilla, of which there are two common species in Panama, V. planifolia with narrow leaves (see image above) and V. pompona with wide leaves."[37]

Powell and Pring

George H. Pring, a horticulturist at the MBG, made many trips to remote locations in Central and South America.[70] "In 1923 Pring visited the Panama Canal Zone, where he spent six months, weeks of which were at Powell's garden talking orchids from 6 a.m. to 3 a.m."[21] "Powell, in turn, was overjoyed to entertain a man who knew orchids from the outside in."[27] Pring presented Powell with rare plants gathered in the Andes and Powell reciprocated with 300 plants from his garden for the MBG.[71] This association would prove mutually beneficial; back at the MBG, "a great interest arose for Panama’s orchids."[5] In 1926, Powell and Pring would be together again: this time in Missouri. "They appeared to take up the conversation where they left off three years ago. Long botanical names crackled in their dialogue."[21]

7,000 plants-500 orchid species

Knowing the time would come when he could no longer care for the 7,000 plants (including cacti, palms, ferns, lilies, and roughly 500 orchid species) in his astonishing garden, "On March 1, 1926, Powell, Pring, and George Moore (Director of the MBG-aka Shaw's Garden) met in Panama and finalized the details of a great gift—Powell generously presented the Missouri Botanical Garden with his world-wide-known collection of orchids."[10][40][42] "For the benefit of orchid growers throughout the world," the MBG's 1926 bulletin gives an accounting of some the orchids gifted by Powell. "At age 72, Powell had one of the greatest private orchid collections in the world; his donation made the Shaw's Garden orchid collection the finest in the world."[21][40]

"The MBG created a ‘tropical station’ at the foot of Ancon Hill (hill overlooking Panama City, Panama), on lands [2.5 acres (1.0 ha)] granted by the Canal Zone Government. Then Secretary of War and former Park Commissioner of St. Louis, Missouri, Dwight F. Davis, approved the MBG's application for this land grant."[27] "Powell's collection became the [nucleus of the] Panama Extension Station of the MBG; he was appointed its first director and a residence was built for him on the grounds."[42][72] "Powell’s collection marked the beginning of the Garden’s reputation in orchid horticulture."[5] "After Powell’s death there was a good deal of confusion regarding the care of the plants; they were neglected and many died. Pring and Hunter spent two months restocking the grounds. Hunter took over the direction of the Tropical Station and maintained this position until his own death in 1935. In 1939, the Tropical Station was transferred to the Canal Zone Government. During its almost 13 years of existence, the Tropical Station supplied the greenhouses in Saint Louis with a constant flow of living plants."[5] "Today, Ancon Hill is a popular jogging and hiking trek. All manner of vegetation and birds can be seen, including a large number of orchids (which are protected by CITES)."

On August 30, 1926, Powell travelled from Panama to the United States on the Ancon, a Panama Railway Company steamship and the first ship to officially transit the Panama Canal in 1914. "He met, sometimes for the first time, his 'Brothers in Science.' Visits to New York, Philadelphia and Washington preceded his arrival in St. Louis, Missouri. Everywhere he was greeted as an old friend by scientists and orchid enthusiasts. These knew him through a decade of learned correspondence and others had made pilgrimages to his famous garden for it is a mecca of the orchid world."[21] After spending more than 10 years searching any possible habitat for orchids–from the lakes at sea level, to the hillsides, and up into the higher elevations of mountainous Panama–he was lionized as "The Canal Zone's exotic plant specialist."

Charles W. Powell was awarded the Roosevelt Medal with two service bars (second bar awarded on March 1, 1913) for continuous distinguished civilian work as an employee of the Isthmian Canal Commission (or the Panama Railroad Company). Of roughly 50,000 workers, only 1,661 medalists earned the second bar.[73][74]

Retiring on October 10, 1926, Powell's service record in the Canal Zone's Sanitation department documents his annuity.[75]

Sobraila decora. See Powell's specimen February 1915[76]

Life in early 1900s Panama presented a unique opportunity for Powell to find his passion in orchids. The labor requirement for the construction of the Panama Canal provided him with a livelihood; and an outing on the newly created Gatun Lake awakened a desire to "catch" orchids instead of fish.[27] Soon, he would become a man on a mission: a man with direction and purpose. Powell searched high and low for beautiful, diverse, rare and new-to-science orchids with great vigor. He risked life and limb to acquire his specimens. The worldwide correspondence, camaraderie, conversation and competition among like-minded orchid lovers suited his nature. Through his later life's love, Powell caught the world by surprise; he may have caught himself by surprise. Charles Wesley Powell's donation was the manifestation of his calling to serve mankind by contributing to the greater common good: a permanent legacy of his work. As a late bloomer, he made his mark with orchids.

Desiderata (Latin: "desired things"):

I wanted flowers. Naturally I wanted the best;

naturally I wanted something I had never seen.

The answer was orchids.[21] —Powell, 1926