Angraecum stolzii Schltr., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 53: 603 (1915).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Angraecoides stolzii (Schltr.) Szlach., Mytnik & Grochocka, Biodivers. Res. Conservation 29: 10 (2013).
Description:
Stems to 40 cm (16 in.) long, usually pendent; roars 0.5-2 mm in diameter, arising along the stem. Leaves numerous, distichous, 4.5-7.5 cm (2-3 in.) x 4-9 mm, linear, curved, acutely and unequally bilobed at roe apex, dark green. Inflorescences one-flowered, arising opposite the leaves from roe same place in successive years, so that the bases often form a woody spur. Flowers cream, greenish, or straw- colored, 17-20 mm in diameter. Peduncle to 17 mm long; pedicel and ovary 6 mm. Sepals 7-9 x 1.5-3 mm, lanceolate, acuminate; petals similar but slightly narrower. Lip boat-shaped, 5-8 x 3-5 mm, including an acumen 2 mm lang. Spur 5.5-9 mm long, slender, usually slightly swollen at apex.
Habitat:
Epiphytic at high and low levels in submontane, evergreen forest, 1600-2500 m (5300-8250 ft.).
Cultivation:
Mounted on smooth pieces of wood in a shaded, humid situation, at intermediate temperatures.
Notes:
May be confused with Angraecum cultriforme, which has larger flowers, a longer spur, and shorter and broader leaves. In Angraecum cultriforme, woody spurs are rarely, if ever, formed where the inflorescences arise. Furthermore, in the wild, Angraecum cultriforme tends to grow at lower altitudes, in areas of lower rainfall, in riverine trees and thicket rather than in submontane forest where Angraecum stokii grows. There are specimens, however, that are intermediate and difficult to assign to one species or roe other. In Malawi, a third species, Angraecum umbrosum Cribb, also occurs at higher altitudes and has longer and narrower, almost grasslike, leaves. Again, specimens can grade into Angraecum stokii.
Distribution:
Malawi, Tanzania, Zaire.
References:
The Orchids of South Central Africa Williamson 1977; Flora of Tropical East Africa Part 3 Cribb 1989; Flora Zambesiaca Vol 11 Part 2 Pope 1998; WCSP (2017). 'World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. 28.01-2017; http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/
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