Plectrelminthus caudatus (Lindl.) Summerh., Kew Bull. 4: 441 (1949).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Angraecum caudatum Lindl., Edwards's Bot. Reg. 22: t. 1844 (1836).
Listrostachys caudata (Lindl.) Rchb.f. in W.G.Walpers, Ann. Bot. Syst. 6: 907 (1864).
Angorchis caudata (Lindl.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 651 (1891).
Leptocentrum caudatum (Lindl.) Schltr., Orchideen Beschreib. Kult. Zücht.: 600 (1914).
Description:
A robust monopodial epiphyte with leafy stems up to 6 in. (15 cm) long. The roots are long and stout, sometimes almost 0.4 in. (1 cm) in diameter. Pseudobulb/stem: Up to 6 in. (15 cm) long. The lower part of the stem is enclosed by the overlapping bases of old leaves that have fallen. Leaves: 4-12 in. (10-30 cm) long by 0.6-1.4 in. (1.5-3.5 cm) wide. Several overlapping, longitudinally folded leaves are set close together and carried at the apex of the stem. They are broadly strap-shaped and unequally and bluntly bilobed at the apex. Inflorescence: 14-31 in. (35-80 cm) long. The flower spike emerges from the axils of the lower leaves and may be spreading or pendulous. Flowers are carried on a zigzag rachis on the upper part of the spike. The pedicel and ovary are twisted so that the flowers are held in positions parallel to the rachis, with the tip pointing toward the base of the plant. Flowers: 4-10 per inflorescence. The rather cup-shaped flowers have yellow-green sepals and petals that may sometimes be flushed with bronze. The lip is white. Sepals and petals are oblong and have sharply pointed tips. The dorsal sepal is 1.2-2.0 in. (3-5 cm) long by 0.2-0.3 in. (0.5-0.7 cm) wide. The lateral sepals are slightly narrower and are joined at the base under the spur. Petals are 1.2-1.4 in. (3.0-3.5 cm) long by 0.2 in. (0.4-0.5 cm) wide. The lip is 1.4-2.0 in. (3.5-5.0 cm) long by 0.4-1.0 in. (1.0-2.5 cm) wide. It is egg-shaped with a wavy edge, has a caudate apex, and has a long basal claw with two projections that almost meet to form a V. The spur at the base of the flower is thick, pendent, flexuous, and 6-10 in. (15-25 cm) long, are in. ( cm) across.
Habitat:
Plants grow as epiphytes in forests, but in positions where they receive strong light. With as many reported collections as there have been, it seems strange that not a single one included habitat elevation, but that is exactly what I have encountered. La Croix & La Croix (1997) report that these plants will grow under intermediate conditions, but are difficult to flower and performs better in warm temperatures.
Cultivation:
Read more of Cultivation of Plectrelminthus caudatus (Lindl.) Summerh.
Distribution:
W. & WC. Trop. Africa
Two variants are approved by the World Checklist of monocotyledons.
| Plectrelminthus caudatus var. caudatus | W. & WC. Trop. Africa. |
| Plectrelminthus caudatus var. trilobatus Szlach. & Olszewski | C. Trop. Africa. |
References:
Hutchinson, J., and J. Dalziel, ed. 1968. Flora of west tropical Africa, vol. 3—part 1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. la Croix, I. and E. la Croix. 1997. African orchids in the wild and in cultivation. Timber Press, Portland, OR.; WCSP (2017). 'World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. 12.03.2017; http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/
Images:
Click on each image to see a larger version.
| In culture | In culture | In culture | In culture | In culture | In culture |
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| Photograph ©Leo Klemm. Image used with kind permission | Photograph ©Leo Klemm. Image used with kind permission | Photograph ©Leo Klemm. Image used with kind permission | Photograph ©Leo Klemm. Image used with kind permission | Photograph ©Leo Klemm. Image used with kind permission | Photograph ©Leo Klemm. Image used with kind permission |
