Jumellea arachnantha (Rchb.f.) Schltr., Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 33(2): 428 (1915).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Aeranthes arachnantha Rchb.f., Flora 68: 539 (1885).
Mystacidium arachnanthus (Rchb.f.) T.Durand & Schinz, Consp. Fl. Afric. 5: 51 (1894).
Heterotypic Synonyms:
Aeranthes gladiator Rchb.f., Flora 68: 539 (1885).
Aeranthes phalaenophora Rchb.f., Flora 68: 539 (1885).
Mystacidium gladiator (Rchb.f.) T.Durand & Schinz, Consp. Fl. Afric. 5: 53 (1894).
Mystacidium phalaenophorum (Rchb.f.) T.Durand & Schinz, Consp. Fl. Afric. 5: 54 (1894).
Jumellea gladiator (Rchb.f.) Schltr., Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 33(2): 429 (1915).
Jumellea phalaenophora (Rchb.f.) Schltr., Beih. Bot. Centralbl. 33(2): 430 (1915).
Angraecum gracilipes Rolfe, Bot. Mag. 144: t. 8758 (1918).
Jumellea sagittata H.Perrier, Notul. Syst. (Paris) 7: 52 (1938).
Description:
A large 18 in. (46 cm) monopodial epiphyte that spreads out to a width of 24-30 in. (60-75 cm). The roots, which are smooth and rather husky, are 0.1-0.2 in. (0.3-0.5 cm) in diameter. Offset plants form freely about the base, thus forming a large clump of plants. Stem: 4-8 in. (10-20 cm) long and 2.4 in. (6 cm) wide on very old plants. The short stem is somewhat flattened and covered by the old leaf sheaths that remain after the leaves drop. Many, leaves, which are 16-24 in. (40-60 cm) long, 1.6-2.4 in. (4-6 cm) wide, relatively thin, longitudinally folded, arching, and bluntly bilobed at the tip. The arrangement of the leaves creates a fan-shaped plant. Inflorescence 6-8 in. (15-20 cm) long. The slender, arching flower spikes emerge from near the base of the plant. Each flower is held on a slender pedicellate ovary that is 3.5-4.0 in. (9-10 cm) long. Although each inflorescence only carries a single, as many as 50-75 inflorescences may be produced at the same time. Blossoms, which are 2.0-2.4 in. (5-6 cm) long and 1.6-2.0 in. (4-5 cm) wide, are pure white, pleasantly fragrant, and last about 1 month. Narrow, sharply pointed, and widely spread, the sepals and petals are about 1.2 in. (3 cm) long by 0.3 in. (0.9 cm) wide at the base. Lateral sepals are usually a little longer and slightly narrower than the petals or dorsal sepal. The flat, fully open, spade-shaped lip is approximately 1.2 in. (3 cm) long not including the spur which is about 2.8 in. (7 cm) long. The lip is rather narrow at the base but widens to about 0.6 in. (1.5 cm) just above the base before tapering gradually to a sharply pointed apex. The column is very short.
Habitat:
Habitat elevation was not reported, but topographical maps of the island shows maximum elevations of 4000-6000 ft. (1220-1830 m). Growers report that these plants grow are healthiest if temperatures are below the intermediate-warm range.
Cultivation:
Read more of Cultivation of Jumellea arachnantha (Rchb.f.) Schltr.
Distribution:
Comoro Islands, where it is endemic to Grande Comoro Island.
References:
Hamilton, R. 1988. When does it flower? 2nd ed. Robert M. Hamilton, 9211 Beckwith Road, Richmond, B. C., Canada V6X 1V7. Hillerman, F. and A. Holst. 1986. An introduction to the cultivated Angraecoid orchids of Madagascar. Timber Press, Portland, Ore.
Images:
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| Photograph ©Gilles Grunenwald. Image used with kind permission. | Photograph ©Gilles Grunenwald. Image used with kind permission. | Photograph ©Gilles Grunenwald. Image used with kind permission. | Photograph ©Gilles Grunenwald. Image used with kind permission. | Photograph ©Gilles Grunenwald. Image used with kind permission. | Photograph ©Gilles Grunenwald. Image used with kind permission. |
