Angraecum elephantinum Schltr., Notizbl. Bot. Gart. Berlin-Dahlem 7: 330 (1919).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Perrierangraecum elephantinum (Schltr.) Szlach., Mytnik & Grochocka, Biodivers. Res. Conservation 29: 20 (2013).
Description:
Stocky plants, 10-15 cm tall, stem thick (8 mm in diameter generally), cylindrical and short. Leaves lingulate (7.5-10 x 2-2.5 cm), coriaceous, unequally bilobed-obtuse apically. Inflorescence very short, peduncle entirely covered by the imbricating sheaths, bracts obtuse. Sepals flat, lingulate, obtuse and 35 mm long, the laterals slightly carinate dorsally. Petals nearly as long as the sepals, lanceolate-lingulate and sub-obtuse. Labellum oval-obtuse (3 x 2 cm near the center), concave basally and nearly embracing the column, provided above with a median keel elongated medially; spar filiform, slightly curved-arched and 11 cm long. Column abort; rostellum relieved medially: cauda 2, narrowly oblong-lingulate. Pedicel curved-twisted, 2.5 cm long generally or longer.
Habitat:
Plants are found in the eastern part of Madagascar, but oddly enough, the only detail of the habitat that I can find in the references I have available is that these plants are found near Antananarivo.
Cultivation:
Read more of Cultivation of Angraecum elephantinum Schltr.
Notes:
This is another species that should be in every good collection. The luster and substance of the flowers is outstanding, and the flower size in relation to plant size is especially favorable. This is another choice semi-"mini" angraecum.
Distribution:
C. Madagascar
References:
Hillerman, F. and A. Holst. 1986. An introduction to the cultivated Angraecoid orchids of Madagascar. Timber Press, Portland, Ore. 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, J. & C. Hermans. 1999. The Orchids of Madagascar. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, England; 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 |
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| Photograph Gilles Grunenwald. Image used with kind permission. | Photograph Gilles Grunenwald. Image used with kind permission. | Photograph Gilles Grunenwald. Image used with kind permission. |
| In culture | In culture | In culture | In culture | In culture |
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| Photograph© Lourens Grobler. 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. | Photograph© Lourens Grobler. Image used with kind permission. |
