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Angraecum viguieri Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 18: 326 (1922).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Rudolfangraecum viguieri (Schltr.) Szlach., Mytnik & Grochocka, Biodivers. Res. Conservation 29: 22 (2013).
Description:
Plant, with a short stem, 6-7 mm. in diameter; roots densely verrucose; foliar sheaths overlapping generally l cm. long, slightly traversely rugose, veins non- visible, decomposing to brown fibers, rigid, of equal length and very characteristic. Leaves lingulate-linear (6-14 cm. x 8-12 mm.), heavily veined and un-equally bilobed apically. lnflorescence single flowered; peduncle 3-3.5 cm., covered basally by 2-3 narrow-scartous sheaths, bracts not emarginate, scarious, widely oval-apiculate, generally 1 cm. tall, a quarter to a third the length of the short pedicel; flowers pure white, large (sepals 5,5-6.5 cm ). Sepals and petals narrowly linear-lingulate, to 5-6 mm, wide at most basally. Labellum 5-6cm. long, very wide (3.6 cm. shove the center) conch-shaped, abutting the wide spur oriface (16-l8mm.), limbus enlarged laterally, slightly above the center, rounded in front and abruptly contracted in an acute, acumin, l5 mm. long; with a single ked above in front of the spur oriface; veins very numerous, arranged in a flabel, the 3 median close and simple, the others several times bifurcate, all or nearly alt descending or more or less to the flanks of the spur, creased at the point of insertion of the labellum, with the base of the column; spur 9- 10 cm. long. attenuate gradually from the oriface to the apex, margins parallel with the pedicel, then upturned-undulate iii front. Ovary 3 veined, 3.5-4 cm. long with the short pedicel.
Habitat:
Angraecum viguieri is indigenous to Madagascar, where it grows epiphytically, sometimes in almost full sun, at an altitude of around 900 meters (2,950 feet). In the east-central portion of Madagascar where it is found, there are distinct rainy and dry seasons, and in its natural haunts it flowers in November.
Cultivation:
Read more of Cultivation of Angraecum viguieri Schltr.
Notes:
Angraecum viguieri definitely belongs among the elite of the angraecum clan, with a flower that is nearly as spectacular as that of Angraecum sesquipedale and an unusual and desirable growth habit as well. Perrier de La Bâthie states in Flore de Madagascar that the flower is pure white, that various parts of the flowers are tinted with different combinations of brown, green, orange, and yellow. In fact, this angraecum has the greatest intensity of color in the genus, especially the lip, which is much more richly colored in some clones than in others. Although it bears only one flower per inflorescence, it sometimes produces 2 to 6 inflorescences simultaneously. The spidery, almost grotesque look of the flower imparts an eerie quality, and a plant in full bloom is certainly one of the most strangely beautiful sights to behold anywhere, particularly at night. The other distinct "plus" is the neat plant habit. Except in old plants, the stem is as straight as an arrow, with attractive dark leaves that stand out at an angle of 90°, and the overall effect is far from bulky. Moreover, it blooms when quite small (15 cm, tall). In its native Madagascar, it flowers in November, whereas March to May or on into early summers the usual bloom time in the northern hemisphere. Beginning with the second flight, the flower is slightly to highly fragrant, and it lasts in full beauty for 10 days to 2 weeks. This species is a "must" for every eclectic collector and ranks in exotic beauty with Angraecum sesquipedale, Angraecum magdalenae, and Angraecum superbum, but without being nearly as large in plant size.
Distribution:
Madagascar. Endemic
References:
De la Bathie, H., and H. Humbert. [1939, 1941] 1981. Flora of Madagascar 1-2. The Government of Madagascar and the National Museum of Natural History, Paris. Translated and published in 1 vol., Steven D. Beckman, 621 Palm Ave., Lodi, CA, U.S.A. 95240. 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. Kew Data Base. 2014. http.//apps.kew.org/wcsp/home.do Stewart, J., J. Hermans, and B. Campbell. 2006, Angraecoid Orchids. Timber Press, Portland, OR. Stewart, J., J. Hermans, and B. Campbell. 2006, Angraecoid Orchids. Timber Press, Portland, OR; WCSP (2017). 'World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. 24.01-2017; http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/
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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.