Jumellea comorensis (Rchb.f.) Schltr., Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 33(2): 428 (1915).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Aeranthes comorensis Rchb.f., Flora 68: 540 (1885).
Mystacidium comorense (Rchb.f.) T.Durand & Schinz, Consp. Fl. Afric. 5: 52 (1895).
Angraecum comorense (Rchb.f.) Finet, Bull. Soc. Bot. France 54(9): 13 (1907), nom. illeg..
Description:
Stem compressed (3-4 mm wide), straight, lasting, covered by the finely veined, non transversely rugose sheaths, very densely leafy. Leaves widely lorate-linear (3.2-4 cm x 6-12 mm), slightly contracted basally, very shortly emarginate, equal apically, the median vein slightly projecting below in the lower half. Inflorescences bearing sheaths, peduncle short (16-1 7 mm), covered entirely by the 3 sheaths, slightly compressed, slightly carinate dorsally, obtuse, rigid, the superior 10 mm long and covering slightly less than the lower half of the bract; bracts similar to this sheath but longer (15- 15 mm), covering about a third of the pedicel. Sepals nearly similar, obtuse, of a nearly uniform size from the base to the apex (22 x 4 mm and 7 veined. Petals of the same length, but slightly narrowed in the lower quarter. Labellum 2 cm long, much wider (7 mm) slightly above the center, forming an obtuse angle on each side, narrowly contracted in back of the unguis, concave and provided with a projecting ked toward the base, in an acute or subacute angle apically; 11 veined generally in the enlarged area; spur 9-11cm long, filiform, slightly attenuate toward the extremity. Column taller than wide; auricles well developed, with the superior angle more protecting than the inferior. obtuse; median tooth very short and very acute. Pollina with their cauda retracted, retinacles 2, sub triangular; without any distinct viscidiums Pedicel 3.5-4cm long. Capsule oblanceolate (35 x 14 mm) slightly attenuate from the apex to the base, with the dorsal angles very projecting.
Habitat:
In its native Comoro Islands, this species grows in very bright to very low light. It is found at an altitude of about 500 meters (1,650 feet), growing epiphytically on rough-barked trees. The rainfall is heavy, up to 200 inches, but there is normally brisk air movement. In the Comoro Islands, Jumellea comorensis flowers in January.
Cultivation:
Jumellea comorensis grows well in either an intermediate or warm greenhouse, and has proven to be very adaptable. If you wish to pot it, use a 3- to 5-inch pot filled with coarse fir bark and add a few chunks of charcoal. Mounting it on a slab (10 x 25 cm, or 4 x 12 inches) is more natural, cork or tree fem is suggested. Either in a pot or on a slab, the species should be watered copiously. Fertilize the Jumellea comorensis every 7 days and use a systemic fungicide every 3 - 4 weeks to prevent fungus growing on the bottom of the leaves which can be a common problem due to the amount of water the plant needs. Jumellea comorensis will flower year round on an established plant with many flowers.
Notes:
This species should rate very high among Jumelleas because it flowers practicality all year long. A 5-inch pot will carry many branches cascading over the sides, and each major branch almost always carries a flower. It is hard to imagine a species easier to grow, once it is well established. While "cuttings" can be made, they are slow to "take off." Nevertheless, it does propagate moderately well. The ever-blooming Jumellea comorensis makes are interesting and different addition to any orchid collection.
Distribution:
Comoros
References:
AOS Bulletin Vol 53 No 8 1984; Angraecoid Orchids Stewart, Hermans, Campbell 2006; 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 |
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| Photograph ©Gilles Grunenwald. Image used with kind permission. | Photograph ©Leo Klemm. Image used with kind permission. | Photograph ©Leo Klemm. Image used with kind permission. |
