Angraecum arachnites Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 33: 321 (1925).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Angraecum ramosum var. arachnites (Schltr.) Schltr., in Fl. Madag. 49(2): 301 (1941).
Description:
Plant erect or ascending, up to 15 cm long, roots slender, flattened where they adhere to the substrate, stems simple or sparsely branched, densely covered with leaf bases and sheaths, ca. 2 mm in diameter. Leaves spreading, oblong-lingulate or lingulate, unequally and obtusely bilobed at the apex, margins recurved and minutely serrulate, 6-20 mm long, 2-3,5 mm wide, thin but leathery. Inflorescence axillary, longer than the leaves, single-flowered, bract ovate, apiculate, pedicel and ovary ca. 1, 3 cm long. Flower erect, average for the section, white, but pinkish brown towards the extremities of all parts, sepals narrowly lanceolate at the base then very elongated-acuminate, ca. 4, 5 cm long, lateral sepals oblique, petals shorter and narrower than the sepals, lanceolate-linear at the base, ca. 3, 5 cm long, lip suborbicular, acuminate, 1, 5 cm long including the acumen, 7-8 mm wide near the base, spur slender, filiform, ca. 11 cm long.
Habitat:
This epiphytic orchid is found in central Madagascar, with collections reported at about 4900 ft. (1500 m) near Talatakely, which is about 19 miles (30 km) from the capital, Antananarivo. Plants grow in fairly deep shade in regions that experience distinct rainy and dry seasons. Flowering between November and May.
Cultivation:
Read more of Cultivation of Angraecum arachnites Schltr.
Notes:
This is a charming little plant that is quite easy to grow. It takes very little space, since it can be kept as compact as desired by pruning. In fact, a plant only 10 cm tall produces an abundance of flowers. This is a small, interesting, worthwhile species.
Distribution:
N. & EC. Madagascar
References:
Du Puy, D., P. Cribb, J. Bosser, J. and C. Hermans. 1999. The Orchids of Madagascar. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, England. 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/
Images:
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| In culture | In culture | In culture | 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. | Photograph Gilles Grunenwald. Image used with kind permission. | Photograph Gilles Grunenwald. Image used with kind permission. | Photograph Gilles Grunenwald. Image used with kind permission. |
