Angraecum baiderae Pailler in Phytotaxa 442: 185 (2020)
Diagnosis:
Angraecum baiderae is close to Angraecum borbonicum Bosser (1988: 20), from which it differs by its smaller size (plants being nearly half the size of the latter), narrower leaves, and by the shape of its labellum, which is broadly obovate with apiculate apex (vs ovate with acuminate apex). It differs from A. rutenbergianum Kraenzlin (1882: 257) by having a shorter peduncle (3-8 mm vs 20-25 mm) and sepals (12-21 mm vs 20-37 mm long), a smaller labellum (14-23 x 11-15 mm vs 30-35 *17-18 mm), which is also of a different shape (broadly obovate vs rhombic-elliptic), and smaller capsule (10-19 x 5-12 mm vs 20-27 x 10-11 mm).
Description:
Plants epiphytic, erect; acaulous or stem single, 5-6(-10) mm long, covered with old leaf sheaths; leaf sheaths closely imbricate, keeled at back, wrinkled when dry; internodes 0.3-0.7 mm. Roots many, thin, smooth. Leaves 3-5, erect, (15)-25(-80) x 3-5 mm, oblong or narrowly-oblong, coriaceous, green, V-shaped in cross-section at base; base narrow, flat towards round apex; apex unequally bilobed, margins smooth. Inflorescence 1(-2), singleflowered. Peduncle 3-8 mm, covered by 3-5 membranous sheaths, 6-7 mm long, light brown, imbricated; upper sheath keeled. Floral bracts 4-5 mm long, ovate, obtuse and sometimes cuspidate at apex, same texture as leaves. Flower resupinate, 20-25 mm diameter, white, fleshy, fully opening, faintly scented. Sepals (12-)17-21 x 2.5-3.5 mm at base, lanceolate, acute, 7(-9)-veined; median sepal slightly shorter than the laterals, 7-veined. Petals (12-)17-20 x 1.5-2.5 mm at base, narrowly lanceolate, 3-5-veined. Labellum 14-23 x 11-15 mm, broadly obovate, rounded at base, larger at upper third of its length; apex apiculate to long-apiculate, without median keel, multiveined. Spur 50-80 mm long, filiform, more or less curved, sometimes making a loop at base of flower. Column 1.0-1.5 mm high, fleshy; auricles rectangular, 0.6 mm wide, obliquely erect. Anther cap 2 mm diameter, opercular, keel gibbous and fleshy, not easily detaching. Rostellum abnormally developed. Pollinia in direct contact with stigma (autogamy). Ovary 12-15 mm long, pedicellate, narrowed at the base; triangulate. Capsule erect, triquetrous, with 3 slightly marked intermediate ribs, 10-19 x 5-12 mm, long-lasting; peduncle 3-5 mm long.
Etymology:
This species is dedicated to Dr. Claudia Baider, curator of The Mauritius Herbarium (MAU), who collected the type specimen.
Habitat and ecology:
Epiphytic in humid tropical forest.
Phenology:
Flowering in April and May (with one specimen in September), fruiting from April to September.
Distribution:
Mauritius.
References:
Revision of Angraecum sect. Perrierangraecum (Orchidaceae; Epidendroideae; Vandeae) for the Mascarenes, with a description of a new endemic species for Mauritius; POWO (2022). "Plants of the World Online. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet; http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/ Retrieved 21 November 2022."
Images:
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