Aerangis fuscata (Rchb.f.) Schltr., Orchideen: 598 (1914).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Angraecum fuscatum Rchb.f., Gard. Chron. 1882(2): 488 (1882).
Angorchis fuscata (Rchb.f.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 651 (1891).
Heterotypic Synonyms:
Rhaphidorhynchus umbonatus Finet, Bull. Soc. Bot. France 54(9): 37 (1907).
Aerangis umbonata (Finet) Schltr., Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 33(2): 427 (1915).
Description:
Plants acaulis, leaves 3-4, quite variable in form (oblong to widely obovate) and dimensions (15-17 x 4.5 cm to 6.5-10 x 4.4.5 cm), flat, narrow, dull green and with the margins turning pinkish with age. Inflorescence 20-40 cm long, 9-15 flowered; peduncle short (6-10 cm), with 3-5 brown sheaths; rachis fleshy and straight with age, slightly flexuose when dried; bracts scarious, brown, sheath like, 10 mm long and as wide basally, strongly veined, articuate basally to the nearly bare pedicel, in the form of an expanding annulus. Median sepal oval-lanceolate-acute (18-20 x 7-8 mm), much wider, slightly below the middle, lateral sepal slightly larger (20-24 x 6-8 mm). Petals and labellum similar to the median sepal, but the latter being slightly wider basally; spur gradually attenuate, 12-13 cm long. Column 8-9 mm long; stigma twice as wide as the base of the column or clinandrium; clinandrium emarginate behind; rostellum narrowly lingulate, recurved apically. Anther provided apically and behind with a very small obsolete, rounded lobe, straight and obscurely tridentate on the back margin. Pedicel 2.4-3 cm long.
Habitat:
This epiphytic orchid is found in Antananarivo, Antsirannana, and Toamasina regions where it grows on twigs and branches in a variety of habitats from near sea level to about 4600 ft. (1400 m).
Cultivation:
Read more of Cultivation of Aerangis fuscata (Rchb.f.) Schltr.
Notes:
This is another excellent "mini" species. It has very attractive foliage, and the brown flowers are a welcome change from the usual "aerangis white." This should be a valuable addition to the collections of "mini" growers and should perform satisfactorily under lights.
Distribution:
Madagascar
References:
De la Bathie, H., and H. Humbert. [1939, 1941] 1981. Flora of Madagascar 1-2. The Government of Madagascar and the National Museum of Natural History, Paris. Translated and published in 1 vol., Steven D. Beckman, 621 Palm Ave., Lodi, CA, U.S.A. 95240. Du Puy, D., P. Cribb, J. Bosser, J. and C. Hermans. 1999. The Orchids of Madagascar. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, England. Hillerman, F. and A. Holst. 1986. An introduction to the cultivated Angraecoid orchids of Madagascar. Timber Press, Portland, Ore; WCSP (2017). 'World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. 18.01-2017; http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/
Images:
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| In culture | In culture | In culture | In culture | In culture | In culture |
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| Photograph Gilles Grunenwald. Image used with kind permission. | Photograph Gilles Grunenwald. Image used with kind permission. | Photograph Gilles Grunenwald. Image used with kind permission. | Photograph Gilles Grunenwald. Image used with kind permission. | Photograph Gilles Grunenwald. Image used with kind permission. | Photograph Gilles Grunenwald. Image used with kind permission. |
