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Angraecum scottianum Rchb.f., Gard. Chron., n.s., 10: 556 (1878).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Angorchis scottiana (Rchb.f.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 651 (1891).
Arachnangraecum scottianum (Rchb.f.) Szlach., Mytnik & Grochocka, Biodivers. Res. Conservation 29: 11 (2013).
Heterotypic Synonyms:
Angraecum reichenbachianum Kraenzl. in H.G.Reichenbach, Xenia Orchid. 3: 4 (1890).
Description:
Stems upright, very thin, 10-15 cm tall; leaves 6-8, cylindrical, subulate (9 cm x 3 mm generally), bicarinate, canaliculated above, Peduncle 7-8 cm long, slightly swollen apically, or with the apex twice as wide as the bane, bearing 1-2 scarious, tubular, appressed sheaths near the base, to more than 8 mm long; bracts very similar, retuse and slightly shorter (5-6 mm), flowers pure white, solitary, but accompanied by a bracteole which is the rudiment of a second undeveloped flower and the rudiments of articulation (1-2). Sepals lingulate-acute (27 mm long, the median with its margins in turned and the laterals twisted and the same). Petals of the same length, slightly narrower and flat. Labellum embracing the column basally, wider than tall (25-27 x 35-40 mm), apiculate apically; spur large basally, and then attenuate-filiform, 9-10 cm long. Column short and thick, auricles nearly square, median tooth of the rostellum very small. Anther conical-obtuse apically, truncate and tridentate apically, the 3 teeth acute, with the median more prominent; pollina obovate-cuneiform with the cauda retracted, joined by a small triangular retinacle, the point enlarged in front. Pedicel 3cm. long, twisted apically.
Name derivation:
The species name (pronounced skaht-ih-AY-num) is the Latin adjectival form of the name Scott, referring to R. Scott, a grower who received Angraecum scottianum from the Comoro Islands.
Habitat:
Angraecum scottianum is indigenous to the Comoro Islands northwest of Madagascar. On Grande Comore Island it grows on the western slopes of Mt. Karthala at elevations of 400—600 meters (1,300—1,950 feet). It grows epiphytically on the trunks and lower branches of large trees, often in the company of other epiphytes. It is usually found on the west side of the trees, in such a position as to be exposed to almost full afternoon sun. Rainfall in the region is very heavy throughout the year, especially in the summer from November to April. Plants of this species grow in the same environment as Angraecum leonis. Angraecum scottianum flowers in June and July.
Cultivation:
Read more of Cultivation of Angraecum scottianum Rchb.f.
Notes:
This is a "white bonnet" species, a "must" for every collection of orchids, and one that should be added to even the most crowded greenhouse. Young plants grow upright, flower when quite small, and as adults become pendent unless supported. One distinctive feature is that at the point where the individual flower pedicels begin, the diameter of the peduncle is nearly double its normal diameter. The species tends to bloom 2 flowers at a time, followed by 2 more, etc., up to 8 over a 2-month period. At first, the sepals and petals have a greenish-grey tint, before becoming pure white. The most striking feature of the flower is the conspicuous lip, which is always upturned as the pendent plant hangs from its support. The brownish-yellow-tipped spur skirts the ovary and hangs down opposite the lip.The flowers are slightly fragrant with a hint of the scent of the herb yarrow.
Angraecum scottianum is sometimes confused with Angraecum pseudofilicornu, but it can be differentiated by the fact that Angraecum scottianum has more cylindrical leaves, sheaths that are longer and not veined crosswise, a peduncle and pedicellate ovary that are 2—3 times as long, a larger lip, and a shorter spur. Its leaves are usually twice the length of pseudofilicornu.
Distribution:
Comoros
References:
Gard. Chron. (1878) II. 556. Bechtel, H., P. Cribb, and E. Launert. 1980. Manual of cultivated orchid species. MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass. Hamilton, R. 1988. When does it flower? 2nd ed. Robert M. Hamilton, 9211 Beckwith Road, Richmond, B. C., Canada V6X 1V7. Hawkes, A. (1965) 1987. Encyclopaedia of cultivated orchids. Faber and Faber, London. Hillerman, F. and A. Holst. 1986. An introduction to the cultivated Angraecoid orchids of Madagascar. Timber Press, Portland, Ore. Yearron, S. H. Nov. 17, 1999.
Photos/drawings:
Bechtel, H., P. Cribb, and E. Launert. 1980. Manual of cultivated orchid species. MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass. (Color photo) Hillerman, F. and A. Holst. 1986. An introduction to the cultivated Angraecoid orchids of Madagascar. Timber Press, Portland, Ore. (Color photo); WCSP (2017). 'World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. 24.01-2017; http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/
Images:
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