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Angraecum eburneum subsp. superbum (Thouars) H.Perrier, in Fl. Madag. 49(2): 315 (1941).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Angraecum superbum Thouars, Hist. Orchid.: 62 (1822).
Aerobion superbum (Thouars) Spreng., Syst. Veg. 3: 718 (1826)
Angorchis superba (Thouars) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 652 (1891).
Heterotypic Synonyms:
Angraecum brongniartianum Rchb.f. ex Linden, Pescatorea 1: 16 (1860).
Angorchis brongniartiana (Rchb.f. ex Linden) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 651 (1891).
Angraecum comorense Kraenzl., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 17: 60 (1893).
Angraecum voeltzkowianum Kraenzl., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 36: 116 (1905).
Angraecum eburneum var. brongniartianum (Rchb.f. ex Linden) Schltr., Ann. Inst. Bot.-Géol. Colon. Marseille, III, 1: 19308 (1913).
Description:
This sub-species differs from the previous by the larger flowers (labellum 4 cm long, including the acumin, 4.7 cm wide), the sepals and petals whiter, the labellum nearly square, auriculate basally, trisinuate or sub trilobed on the front margin, the lateral lobes rounded or flattened, the median acuminate acute, and with the median keel more projecting, obviously divided into 2 vertical margins toward the base.
Habitat:
Angraecum superbum grows mostly on trees, occasionally on rocks, in damp tropical forests on the east coast of Madagascar (and Sainte-Marie Island). It prefers the wet, hot lowlands, but is also found at altitudes of up to 400 meters. It is a plant commonly encountered on the east coast from the northern tip all the way south to Fort-Dauphin. Angraecum superbum is a sun-loving plant that is never found growing in dense shade. In light shade, it grows from head-height all the way up to the treetops. On Sainte-Marie Island, the authors observed, one of its preferred perches is on clove trees. The areas in which it is found are all subject to heavy, frequent rains over a long rainy season. In Madagascar, the plant blooms at various times between September and May, depending on the growing year and the region.
Cultivation:
Read more of Cultivation of Angraecum eburneum subsp. superbum (Thouars) H.Perrier
Notes:
Angraecum superbum is a robust, strong-growing plant like the species Angraecum eburneum, of which it was formerly considered to be a subspecies. Its flowers, which are even larger than those of Angraecum eburneum, are borne on 2 or 3 spikes arching upward. The lip is the real identifying feature, being pure white and often larger than that of vegetative "look-alikes" such as Angraecum eburneum. The waxy, porcelain-like flowers exude a sweet fragrance, and last more than 4 weeks. A large plant in full bloom is a superb sight indeed.
This large species is well suited to being grown outdoors in areas such as Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and other warm places. In the greenhouse, the main problem is to find room for it. If it becomes too large, start a few of the basal keikis (they will bloom when relatively small), then donate the parent plant to your orchid society's plant auction.
Distribution:
Seychelles, Comoros, Madagascar
References:
Orch. Afr. tt. 62 et 64. 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.; WCSP (2017). 'World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. 22.01-2017; http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/
Photos/drawings:
Hillerman, F. and A. Holst. 1986. An introduction to the cultivated Angraecoid orchids of Madagascar. Timber Press, Portland, Ore. (Color photo & drawing of flower).
Images:
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Photograph© Olaf Pronk. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Olaf Pronk. 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.

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Photograph© Etienne Vennetier Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Etienne Vennetier Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Etienne Vennetier Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Etienne Vennetier Image used with kind permission.