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Angraecum cultriforme Summerh., Kew Bull. 13: 272 (1958).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Angraecoides cultriformis (Summerh.) Szlach., Mytnik & Grochocka, Biodivers. Res. Conservation 29: 10 (2013).
Description:
Pendent epiphytic herb; stem elongated, sometimes branched, up to c. 20 cm long. Roots 1–2 mm in diameter, borne along the stem opposite leaves. Leaves several, distichous, twisted at the base so as to lie in one plane, 3–6 × 0.5–0.9 cm, ligulate, falcate, unequally and acutely 2-lobed at the apex, the longer lobe to 7 mm long, the lobes often slightly divergent, the leaves olive-green often tinged reddish or orange. Inflorescences borne along the stem, opposite leaves, arising at same place in successive years, 1–2-flowered, the second bud usually aborting. Flowers orange-straw coloured. Peduncle 15–25 mm long; pedicel c. 7 mm long; ovary 5 mm long, forming a right angle with the pedicel. Bracts c. 4 mm long. Sepals 9–21 × 2.3–3.8 mm, lanceolate, acute; petals similar but slightly shorter. Lip 8–15 × 3.3–6 mm, boat-shaped, acuminate; spur 13–26 mm long, somewhat swollen in last 7 mm. Flowers often non-resupinate, with the spur lying parallel to the dorsal sepal. Column 1.3–2 mm long.
Cultivation:
Read more of Cultivation of Angraecum cultriforme Summerh.
Habitat:
This orchid is found in moist evergreen forest and in coastal dune forest. It is widespread in the warmer coastal areas throughout its range; but plants also are found on some of the forested mountains in Kenya, southern Tanzania, and Zimbabwe, with collections reported from as high as 7200 ft. (2200 m). Plants frequently grow near rivers, often near the ground on the trunks of trees as well as on branches and small twigs.
Notes:
This species is variable in size of flower; those of Malawi plants are at the bottom end of the size range, but the type specimen is also rather small-flowered.
Distribution:
Kenya to NE. KwaZulu-Natal
References:
Ball, J. 1978. Southern African epiphytic orchids. Conservation Press Ltd., Johannesburg. Hamilton, R. 1988. When does it flower? 2nd ed. Robert M. Hamilton, 9211 Beckwith Road, Richmond, B. C., Canada V6X 1V7. la Croix, I. F., E. la Croix, T. la Croix, J. A. Hutson, N. Johnston-Stewart. 1983. Malawi orchids vol. 1 -- epiphytic orchids. National Fauna Preservation Society in Cooperation with the Southern Africa Regional Tourism Council. Stewart, J. and B. Campbell. 1996. Orchids of Kenya. Timber Press, Portland, OR. Stewart, J., with H. Linder, E. Schlepe, and A. Hall. 1982. Wild Orchids of Southern Africa. Macmillan South Africa, Ltd., Johannesburg.
Photos/drawings:
Stewart, J. and B. Campbell. 1996. Orchids of Kenya. Timber Press, Portland, OR. Stewart, J., with H. Linder, E. Schlepe, and A. Hall. 1982. Wild Orchids of Southern Africa. Macmillan South Africa, Ltd., Johannesburg.; WCSP (2017). 'World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. 22.01-2017; http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/
Images:
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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.

Habitat/In situ	Habitat/In situ	Habitat/In situ	Habitat/In situ	Habitat/In situ	Habitat/In situ
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.	Photograph© Lourens Grobler. Image used with kind permission.