Angraecum tenellum (Ridl.) Schltr., Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 33(2): 438 (1915).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Mystacidium tenellum Ridl., J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 21: 489 (1885).
Epidorkis tenella (Ridl.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 660 (1891).
Lesliegraecum tenellum (Ridl.) Szlach., Mytnik & Grochocka, Biodivers. Res. Conservation 29: 18 (2013).
Heterotypic Synonyms:
Saccolabium microphyton Frapp. ex Cordem., Fl. Réunion: 195 (1895).
Angraecum oberonia Finet, Mém. Soc. Bot. France 9: 10 (1907).
Angraecum microphyton (Frapp. ex Cordem.) Schltr., Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 33(2): 435 (1915).
Angraecum waterlotii H.Perrier, Notul. Syst. (Paris) 7: 122 (1938).
Lesliegraecum oberonia (Finet) Szlach., Mytnik & Grochocka, Biodivers. Res. Conservation 29: 17 (2013).
Description:
Very small plants with 2-3 lanceolate leaves (12 x 4 mm), flaccid and obtuse. Inflorescences thin, erect, longer than the leaves, generally 25 mm. long; fiowers white, small (2 mm) and thick; bracts oval obtuse, shorter than the pedicel. Sepals and petals similar, oval-obtuse and short. Labellum oval-obtuse, slightly fleshy, lateral margins upright, spur thick, cylindrical-obtuse and shorter than the pedicel. Column very short. Anther depressed; pollina 2, on a single elongated cauda; viscidium small and triangular. Capsule small (2 mm), oblong elliptical.
Habitat:
Angraecum tenellum is a very small epiphyte (plant 2-3 cm high) which grows in subhumid forest, in semi-shade. Populations have been found in low, open, humid, evergreen ridge-top forest, rich in mosses, with an open canopy c. 12 m tall, with tree ferns. Also noted to be growing on Rubiaceae.
Cultivation:
As given for the genus.
Distribution:
Réunion, Madagascar
References:
Cultivated Angraecoid Orchids Of Madagascar Hillerman & Holst 1986; Angraecoid Orchids Stewart, Hermans, Campbell 2006; WCSP (2017). 'World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. 28.01-2017; http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/
Images:
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| Habitat/In situ | Habitat/In situ |
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| Photograph©Rogier van Vugt. Image used with kind permission. | Photograph©Rogier van Vugt. Image used with kind permission. |
