Jumellea major Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 33: 298 (1925).
Description:
Large plants, to 80 cm tall; stem long and thick (40-60 cm long x 1-1.3 cm in diameter), pendent, entirely covered by, the sheaths, bearing near the apex 11-17 leaves, large, lingulate (nearly 45 x 7.3 cm), coriaceous and plicate-contracted basally. Inflorescences 18-20 cm tall, penetrating the sheaths: peduncle 6-7 cm, covered basally by 3 apiculate sheaths with the superior one longer (15 mm): bracts oblong-apiculate, 4-5 times shorter than the pedicel; flowers large, white and fleshy. Sepals narrow (4.5-5 cm x 5- 7 mm), thick, attenuate-acute toward the apex. Petals linear-lingulate, attenuate toward the apex as in the sepals, slightly shorter (4-4.2 cm) and thinner. Labellum 3.5 cm long, narrow (4 mm), gutter shaped and provided with a median ked, thin and projecting (l mm tall) basally, then gradually enlarged in a wide lamina (13 mm apically) oval-lanceolate and acute, 15 veined, veins very visible and transverse; spar pendent then recurved horizontally, 6.5-7 cm long. Column 5 mm tall, thick; auricies large, 2 mm tall, but 4 mm wide on the upper surface, lower angle obtuse and flat, the other very large, elongated in a slightly recurved lobe and obtuse; median lobe of the rostellum reduced to a shortly projecting, thick, connical-obtuse lobe; arms of the column very thick and very short (l mm). Anther bare, excised in front. Pedicel 9- 10 cm long.
Habitat:
Jumellea major grows epiphytically on the trunks or major branches of large trees at the edges of streams, in moss forest, at an altitude of around 1,500 meters (4,900 feet). It is endemic in Madagascar, and is found mainly in the north-central part of the island, in the Manongarivo Massif. In its native land it flowers in May.
Cultivation:
Jumellea major adapts to either an intermediate or warm house, and requires medium light. Although it is a tree-perching orchid in the wilds, we prefer to pot this species in medium to coarse fir bark, using 6- to 8-inch pots offering excellent drainage.
Notes:
The ment of this plant lies in its handsome fan hape and its medium green leaves contrasting with very pure white flowers about the base. It is certainly not a plant for the small greenhouse, but is worthy of acquisition on several counts. In addition to the beautiful fan shape and handsome appearance of the plant it self, it does bear the largest flowers of the genus, although the spur is surprisingly short. The flowers are exceedingly white, with heavy substance, and are scented at night. A large plant usually carries 3—5 flowers, although with good culture there may be a few more. This species flowers from January to February in the northern hemisphere, depending on individual clones.
Distribution:
N. Madagascar
References:
Flora of Madagascar Perrier 1936/81; Cultivated Angraecoid Orchids Of Madagascar Hillerman & Holst 1986; Angraecoid Orchids Stewart, Hermans, Campbell 2006; Orchids of Madagascar Hermans 2007; Field Guide to the Orchids of Madagascar Cribb & Herman 2009; WCSP (2017). 'World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. 19.02-2017; http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/
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