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Jumellea densifoliata Senghas, Adansonia, n.s., 4: 308 (1964).
Description:
Small rock-dwelling plant, growing in clumps; roots 1.5 mm in diameter; stern up to 8 cm long, covered by old leaf sheaths, and including them 1.3-1.8 an in diameter; branching profusely at the base; leaves leathery, 5-7 cm long, 1-2 cm wide, and 2-3 mm thick; inflorescence shorter than the leaves, one-flowered; peduncle 1.5-2.5 cm long; pedicellate ovary slender as the peduncle, 4-6 cm long; flowers medium-sized, with greenish white petals, white lip; dorsal sepal 15-17 x 4.5-5.5 mm; lateral sepals 17-19 x 4-5 mm; petals 15-18 x 3-4 mm; sepals and petals five- to seven-veined; lower portion of sepals and petals slightly undulate; lip 10-12 x 10-12 mm, 11 -veined; spur 11-13 cm long; column 3- 3.5 mm long.
Habitat:
This species grows mainly on rocks in dry forest in central Madagascar, although the photo on page 000 shows it growing epiphytically. A specific site mentioned by Senghas is Antsirabe, in northeastern Madagascar.
Cultivation:
In spite of its origin, we find that this little species is highly adaptable, and grows well next to more moisture-loving epiphytic orchids. It can be grown potted in fine to medium fir bark mix, or mounted. In fact, it seems to grow more luxuriantly in the greenhouse than it does in its home. Intermediate conditions and moderate light give good results.
Notes:
This species is highly unusual for a Jumellea, in that it is a small, clumping plant. Actually, its growth habit is so distinctive that it is easy to distinguish from other species. Its positive attributes are that it occupies little space and it is literally covered with flowers when well-grown.
Distribution:
Central Madagascar
References:
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. 14.02-2017; http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/
Images:
Click on each image to see a larger version.

In culture	In culture	In culture	In culture	In culture
Photograph ©Gilles Grunenwald. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph ©Gilles Grunenwald. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph ©Leo Klemm. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph ©Leo Klemm. Image used with kind permission.	Photograph ©Leo Klemm. Image used with kind permission.