Home

Angraecum praestans Schltr., Ann. Mus. Colon. Marseille, sér. 3, 1: 199 (1913).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Perrierangraecum praestans (Schltr.) Szlach., Mytnik & Grochocka, Biodivers. Res. Conservation 29: 20 (2013).
Description:
Robust fan-shaped epiphyte. Stem encased within dry leaf bases, up to 30 cm long, 2 cm in diameter. Root system very extensive and succulent, roots up to 5 mm in diameter silvery grey to white. Leaves loriform-ligulate, leathery, folded along the midvein forming a channel, curved, apically bilobed, 2.2–3 cm wide, 25–30 cm long. Inflorescence emerging from the axils of the lower leaves of the fan, sub-erect, rachis green, grooved above the bracts, laxly 4–8 flowered, 15–20 cm long, 4 mm in diameter; basal sheath dark brown, triangular, 9 mm 5–6 mm, cucullate-apiculate, much shorter than the ovary, floral bract 7 x 10 mm, keeled and slightly apiculate. Flowers evening-scented. Flowers large, greenish white with the sepals and petals greenish yellow, spur pale green. Dorsal sepal strongly reflexed, margins recurved in the basal half, linear-lanceolate, 46 x 7 mm. Lateral sepals, pointing forward, 51 x 5.5 mm, linear-acuminate, acutely narrowed from the narrow base to the tip, extended behind the column for c. 8mm where they are fused together and forming a hood over the base of the spur. Petals free, reflexed, 41 x 5 mm, linear-lanceolate, similar in shape to the lateral sepals. Lip obovate-rhomboid, 49 x 32 mm, its greatest width in the upper third, acutely acuminate higher up; spur funnel-shaped at the base, then attenuate-filiform for the lower four fifths, curved and up to 12 cm long, 20 mm wide at the base. Pedicel and ovary twisted, green, flecked with brown, ovary with three sharp wing-like ridges emerging as the fruit develops, 50 x 2.4 mm. Column pale green, short; wings wide, 3 x 2 mm; one acutely triangular tooth at the base of the deep indentation of the rostellum, 6x7 mm. Pollinia obovate; 2 short stipes; 2 elliptic glands. Anther yellow, 3x2 mm, pollinia (2) 2 x 1.1 mm.
Habitat:
Angraecum praestans is mainly found in dry forest rich in succulents like Euphorbia, Aloe, Pachypodium and Diospyros, at altitudes of 0—100 meters (350 feet), where it either grows as an epiphyte in semi-shade or as a lithophyte. It has adopted the introduced Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) as a favourite host. The majority of records are from the limestone karsts of the west and northwest of the island but there are sporadic records from the sandstone plateau of the southwest.
Cultivation:
Read more of Cultivation of Angraecum praestans Schltr.
Notes:
Angraecum praestans, while not nearly as large as Angraecum superbum, Angraecum comorense, or even Angraecum sesquipedale, requires quite a bit of space. A mature plant can become fairly large, perhaps 45 cm tall and 80 cm wide (2 x 21/2 feet). Its foliage is very striking and handsome, although one might wish that the inflorescence were a bit larger. However, a well-grown plant will send out 2-3 inflorescences up to 15 cm long with 3-5 flowers on each. This species will undoubtedly be the subject of considerable hybridizing in the future.
Distribution:
The species is endemic to Madagascar where it occurs in the provinces of Antsiranana, Mahajanga and Toliara.
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. 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:
Click on each image to see a larger version.

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© Lourens Grobler. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Lourens Grobler. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Lourens Grobler. Image used with kind permission.