Eurychone galeandrae (Rchb.f.) Schltr., Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 36(2): 135 (1918).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Angraecum galeandrae Rchb.f., Flora 48: 189 (1865).
Angorchis galeandrae (Rchb.f.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 651 (1891).
Rhaphidorhynchus galeandrae (Rchb.f.) Finet, Mém. Soc. Bot. France 9: 43 (1907).
Heterotypic Synonyms:
Angraecum lujae De Wild., Not. Pl. Util. Congo 1: 142 (1903).
Description:
A rather small, 2.4-8.0 in. (6-20 cm) monopodial epiphyte. Pseudobulb/stem: None. Stems are short. Roots are about 0.1 in. (0.3 cm) in diameter. Leaves: 2.4-8.0 in. (6-20 cm) long by 0.4-0.8 in. (1-2 cm) wide. Each growth carries several leaves, which are strap-shaped, narrowly elliptical to oblanceolate, unequally and bluntly bilobed at the tip, and dull olive-green with a thick-texture. Inflorescence: 3-6 in. (8-15 cm) long. The pendent flower spike has a short peduncle so that the first flower is carried close to the base of the plant. Each flower is carried on a pedicellate ovary that is about 0.5 in. (1.2 cm) long. Flowers: 3-12. The rich salmon-pink blossoms have darker veins on the spur. Sepals and petals are spreading, lanceolate with sharply pointed tips, and 0.6-0.7 in. (1.5-1.8 cm) long by 0.2 in. (0.4-0.5 cm) wide. Sepals are slightly keeled on the outside. The obliquely held lateral sepals are slightly longer than either the erect dorsal sepal or the oblique petals. The lip is 0.6-1.0 in. (1.5-2.5 cm) long, funnel-shaped with margins that are irregularly notched and undulate. The lip tapers toward the back forming a spur that is about 1.0 in. (2.5 cm) long. Initially it is broad except for the last 0.4 in. (1 cm) which is much narrower. The last 0.2 in. (0.5 cm) or so of the spur doubles back rather sharply and the very tip is somewhat inflated. The column is abut 0.2 in. (0.6 cm) long.
Habitat:
This orchid grows in forests and woodlands of Angola, the Central African Republic, Gabon, Ivory Coast, and Zaire. Specific habitat type, location, and elevation were not provided, but Pottinger (1983) reports that both species in the genus (Eurychone galeandrae and Eurychone rothschildiana) grow in the rainforests of West Africa. La Croix and La Croix (1997) reports that this species requires intermediate to warm conditions.
Cultivation:
Read more of Cultivation of Eurychone galeandrae (Rchb.f.) Schltr.
Distribution:
Ivory Coast to Angola
References:
la Croix, I. and E. la Croix. 1997. African orchids in the wild and in cultivation. Timber Press, Portland, OR. Pottinger, M. 1983. African orchids-a personal view. H. G. H. Publications, Berkshire, England.
Photos/drawings:
la Croix, I. and E. la Croix. 1997. African orchids in the wild and in cultivation. Timber Press, Portland, OR. (Drawing of flower) ; WCSP (2017). 'World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. 28.02-2017; http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/
Images:
Click on each image to see a larger version.
| In culture | In culture | In culture |
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| Photograph©Pieter C.Brouwer. Image used with kind permission. | Photograph©Pieter C.Brouwer. Image used with kind permission. | Photograph©Pieter C.Brouwer. Image used with kind permission. |
