Angraecum aloifolium Hermans & P.J.Cribb, Orchid Rev. 105: 108 (1997).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Humblotiangraecum aloifolium (Hermans & P.J.Cribb) Szlach., Mytnik & Grochocka, Biodivers. Res. Conservation 29: 15 (2013).
Description:
A medium sized erect epiphytic herb, 60 to 105mm long. Stem simple, short, stout, 9 to 15mm in diameter, covered in persistent scarious leaf-sheaths below. Roots 1mm in diameter, smooth, white and wiry. Leaves distichous, narrowly ensiform, spreading, fleshy-coriaceous, triangular in cross section, canaliculate, 42 to 50mm long, 10 to 12 mm broad. 7mm wide at the top, pale green, surface pitted and fissured with dark green crevices. Inflorescence 1- to 2-flowered, porrect, axillary: peduncle, fleshy, round and short, 4 to 6 mm, partly concealed by 1 or 2 bracts; bracts 4-5mm long. Mowers 35-45 mm high, 52 mm deep including curved base of spur, sepals white-yellow becoming green towards the column. petals, lip and spur white, column green: pedicel 6mm long; ovary 65-66mm long, triquetrous becoming bilaterally compressed, green speckled with whitish green towards the apex. Dorsal sepal 22 to 25mm long, 6 to 7nim wide, lanceolate, acuminate. dorsally strongly keeled. Lateral sepals 23 to 25mm long, 6 to 7mm wide, lanceolate, acuminate, dorsally strongh' keeled. Petals 17 to 20mm long. 6 to 7mm wide, lanceolate, acuminate, slightly ridged in centre. Lip 49 to 52 mm long. 15 to 20mm wide (including base of spur), strongly dilated at the base, concave, elliptic, acute, finely 8- to 15-veined, central vein slightly more prominent; spur 80 to 98 mm long, funnel-shaped and erect at base, filiform (1.5mm) and acutely decurved in lower two thirds. Column short and stout, 5mm long. 5mm broad, cleft in front, rostellum bifid; pollinia 1mm in diameter, waxy. Fruit 15 mm long, 5 mm in diameter, dark green extensively spotted with pale green flecks.
Etymology:
In reference to the resemblance of the foliage to that of certain species of Aloe (Liliaceae)
Habitat:
Epiphytic in dry deciduous forest.
Cultivation:
As given for the genus.
Distribution:
NW. Madagascar
References:
Orchids of Madagascar Hermans, Du Puy, Cribb and Bosser 2007; Orchids of Madagascar Hermans 2007 photo fide; Field Guide to the Orchids of Madagascar Cribb & Herman 2009; 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 | 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. |
