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Angraecum conchiferum Lindl., Companion Bot. Mag. 2: 205 (1837).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Angorchis conchifera (Lindl.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 651 (1891).
Arachnangraecum conchiferum (Lindl.) Szlach., Mytnik & Grochocka, Biodivers. Res. Conservation 29: 11 (2013).
Heterotypic Synonyms:
Angraecum verrucosum Rendle, J. Bot. 33: 249 (1895).
Mystacidium verrucosum (Rendle) Rolfe in D.Oliver & auct. suc. (eds.), Fl. Trop. Afr. 7: 171 (1897).
Angraecum scabripes Kraenzl., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 33: 73 (1902).
Description:
Epiphytic herb; stem elongated, to c. 60 cm long, often branched. Roots 1–2 mm in diameter, grey, verrucose. Basal part of stem covered with old leaf sheaths, black-dotted. Leaves several, borne towards apex of the stem, distichous, dark green, 4–6 cm × 4–7 mm, linear, unequally and obtusely 2-lobed at the apex. Inflorescences arising opposite leaf axils, 1–2-flowered.Peduncle c. 25 mm long; pedicel and ovary c. 20 mm long; bracts 1.5–5 mm long. Flowers white. Sepals and petals 16–30 × 2–4 mm, linear-lanceolate, long acuminate. Lip 9–11 × 10–12 mm, very concave with a central keel, sub-orbicular with an apiculum 3.5–9 mm long; spur tapering, 3–5 cm long. Column 2–3 mm long.
Cultivation:
This beautiful species must have high humidity to grow well. Although in the wild it can grow in exposed positions, at these altitudes, there will be frequent mist and drizzle, even in the dry season. It can be grown either mounted on bark or in a pot, but good ventilation is essential. It is not easy to get the conditions just right, but it is well worth persevering with it, as it is a lovely species, not so big as the others in its section. Intermediate to cool temperatures seem to be best.
Habitat:
Montane forest, sometimes on isolated trees and rocks, 1250-2400 m (4100-8000 ft.).
Distribution:
Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Kenya; South Africa; Tanzania.
References:
Orchids of East Africa Piers 1968; Wild Orchids of Southern Africa Stewart, Linder, Schelpe & Hall 1982; Malawi Orchids La Croix 1983; AOS Bulletin Vol 53 No 8 1984; Flora of Tropical East Africa Orchidaceae Part 3 Cribb 1989; African Orchids in the wild and Cultivation La Croix 1997; Flora Zambesiaca Vol 11 Part 2 Pope 1998; Angraecoid Orchids Stewart, Hermans & Campbell 2006; Field Guide to the Orchids of Northern South Africa and Swaziland McMurty, Grobler, Grobler & Burns 2008; ; WCSP (2017). 'World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. 25.01-2017; http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/
Images:
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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.