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Angraecum rutenbergianum Kraenzl., Abh. Naturwiss. Vereins Bremen 7: 257 (1882).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Jumellea rutenbergiana (Kraenzl.) Schltr., Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 33(2): 430 (1915).
Perrierangraecum rutenbergianum (Kraenzl.) Szlach., Mytnik & Grochocka, Biodivers. Res. Conservation 29: 20 (2013).
Description:
Plants 4-12 cm tall, acaulis or sub acaulis; roots glabrous, non verrucose; leaves 4-12, rigid, thick, narrow (5-55 x 5-7 mm), unequally bilobed-obtuse apically, sheaths finely veined, not traversely rugose. Inflorescence from in the lower sheaths; peduncle 5-10 mm long, entirely covered by the 3-4 large, scarious this, compressed, carinate, obtuse sheaths, with the apical one covering the base of the bract, which is similar to thee sheaths and 10 mm long, flowers pure white. Sepals lanceolate-acute (30-37 x 6-6.5 mm) 7 veined. Petals shorter (27-35 mm) and narrower (3.5 mm). Labellum rhomboid-elliptical (30-35 x 17-18 mm medially), attenuate to the base and apiculate apically, without a median costule near the base but with numerous veins spur filiform, variable in length (6-9 or 12-14 cm long). Column short, wider than tall, auricles large, bosh angles obtuse, the inferior wider than the superior; median tongue of the rostellum deltoid-acicular, a third the length of the auricles. Anther with a thick connective appendage, crest-like, provided in front with a tongue or rostrum, excised medially, the sides forming 2 teeth or subacute lobules; cauda 2, embracing. Pedicel 2-3cm. long. Capsule more or less longly (12-25mm.) pedicellate, oblong (20-27 x 10-11 mm.) equally and shortly attenuate toward both ends, 3 winged, 2 mm wide and with 3 thick, wide joining bands.
Name derivation:
The species name rutenbergianum is the Latinized form of the name of the German naturalist Diedrich Christian Rutenberg (1851—1878), who was killed in Madagascar by his native followers. He collected orchids in the northern, northwestern, and central regions of Madagascar in 1877 and 1878. The plant was named by Fritz Kraenzlin in 1881.
Habitat:
This orchid is widespread in the central regions of the island in the area around Antananarivo where it grows in humid, evergreen forests as an epiphyte on tree trunks , but is found more often on rocks in situations that Hillerman and Holst (1986) describe as offering little shade, but Stewart, Hermans, & Campbell (2006) report as "among bushes or partly shaded forest." In any event, plants are found in areas with definite wet and dry seasons at 4900-7200 ft. (1500-2200 m).
Flowering in November-February.
Cultivation:
Read more of Cultivation of Angraecum rutenbergianum Kraenzl.
Notes:
Some clones of this little gem, a true mini species, are easy to flower, while others prove quite difficult. However, when the flowers come, they are truly delightful star- like blossoms in which the large lips have a sparkling, crystalline texture. The flowers are quite large in comparison with the size of the plant, which commonly measures no more than 4-5 inches wide and 4 inches high.
According to H. Perrier de La Båthie in Flore de Madagascar experience has confirmed this fact only too well-Angraecum rutenbergianum is a collective species of which there are many insufficiently known forms.
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, and J. and C. Hermans. 1999. The Orchids of Madagascar. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, England. Hamilton, R. 1988. When does it flower? 2nd ed. Robert M. Hamilton, 9211 Beckwith Road, Richmond, B. C., Canada V6X 1V7. Hillerman, F. and A. Holst. 1986. An introduction to the cultivated Angraecoid orchids of Madagascar. Timber Press, Portland, Ore. Kew Data Base. 2014. http.//apps.kew.org/wcsp/home.do Stewart, J., J. Hermans, and B. Campbell. 2006, Angraecoid Orchids. Timber Press, Portland, OR.; WCSP (2017). 'World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. 24.01-2017; http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/
Images:
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In culture	In culture	In culture	In culture	In culture
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.

Habitat/ In situ	Habitat/ In situ
Photograph Gilles Grunenwald. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph Gilles Grunenwald. Image used with kind permission.