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Acampe pachyglossa Rchb.f., Otia Bot. Hamburg.: 76 (1881).
Homotypic Synonyms:
Saccolabium pachyglossum (Rchb.f.) Rolfe in D.Oliver & auct. suc. (eds.), Fl. Trop. Afr. 7: 132 (1897), nom. illeg.
Heterotypic Synonyms:
Acampe renschiana Rchb.f., Otia Bot. Hamburg.: 77 (1881).
Acampe madagascariensis Kraenzl., Gard. Chron., III, 10: 608 (1891).
Acampe mombasensis Rendle, J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 30: 386 (1895).
Saccolabium mombasense (Rendle) Rolfe in D.Oliver & auct. suc. (eds.), Fl. Trop. Afr. 7: 132 (1897).
Acampe nyassana Schltr., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 53: 594 (1915).
Acampe pachyglossa subsp. reschiana (Rchb.f.) Senghas, Orchidee (Hamburg) 15: 165 (1964).
Description:
Stems branched, more or less developed, slightly compressed, 8-10 mm wide. Leaves loriform (14- 8 x 1.6-2 cm), thick, rigid and coriaceous. inflorescence shorter than the leaves, simple or with 2-3 distant branches: peduncle thick, short ((1-4 cm), bearing 2-3 very short sheaths (2 mm) in the form of an embracing cupule; densely 6-15 flowered; rachis thick; bracts very short; flowers thick, 15 mm long (ovary included). Sepals 8-10 mm long, oblong, obtuse, attenuate. Petals smaller, oblique, lateral lobes of the labellum unobtrusive, median lobe 3 times larger, acute and curved in front; base densely villous and provided with 3 calluses, the median of which is much more projecting and elongated to the spur: spur short, saccate-obconnical (2 x 2 mm), bristly inside. Ovary 6-7 mm long. Capsule sessile, subcylindrical (30-50 x 7-10 mm), with 6 slightly projecting ribs.
Habitat:
It grows on trunks and main branches of trees or on rocks below them in deciduous woods usually in arid, hot, low-lying areas or in riverine forests or in coastal bush country to elevations of sea level to 1000 meters.
Flower time:
Flowering almost all year.
Cultivation:
Acampe pachyglossa is not difficult to grow. It is best to mounted the plant without substrate, the roots can develop freely on cork or larger, possibly cracked. Stand in the bright and warmest part of the tempered house. The necessary longer dry season corresponds to the long winter at some attitudes. From spring to the later summer, water frequently - regular spraying. If you do not need to reduce the watering during the relative rest period completely but limit itself with spraying so far that the leaves are not too strong shrink. Slight wilting symptoms do not hurt - may even be an indicator for next year's flowering - with the onset of growth in spring this apparent decline in vitality quickly compensated. While in nature despite fixed dry periods no developmental and arrhythmia is noted falls. The flowering time in local culture mostly in the summer months. When the inflorescence approach, usually in the spring, then it takes about 3 months to get up open the flowers.
Unfortunately, this species, in contrast to Acampe praemorsa, shows only one low branching tendency, which reduces the possibility of their vegetative propagation. Side shoots should be divided for the purpose of division only when their leaves almost the length of those at the main drive have reached. Fertilizers are unnecessary. Increased fertilizers show the same phenomenon as too warm and permanently moist culture: The leaves lose their roughness and firmness but will at the same time more susceptible to pests, and also affects such a culture the willingness to flower. Self-immolations are possible and lead to fertile seeds.
Notes:
Acampe pachyglossa is close to, and may be conspecific with, Acampe praemorsa (Roxb.) Blatt. & McCann, a native of India and Sri Lanka.
Distribution:
S. Somalia to S. Africa, W. Indian Ocean
References:
AOS Bulletin Vol 32 No 10 1963; Orchids of East Africa Piers 1968; Orchids of East Africa Piers 1968; The Orchids of South Central Africa Williamson 1977; AOS Bulletin Vol 50 No 9 1981; Flora of Tropical East Africa Orchidaceae Part 2 Cribb 1984; Malawi Orchids La Croix 1983; Flora Zambesiaca Vol 11 Part 2 Pope 1998; Orchids of Kenya Stewart 1996; African Orchids in the wild and cultivation La Croix 1997; Botanica's Orchids Laurel Glenn 2002; An Introduction to the South African Orchids Schelpe 1966; Orchids of Madagascar Hermans, Du Puy, Cribb & Bosser 2007; Field Guide to the Orchids of Northern South Africa and Swaziland McMurty, Grobler, Grobler & Burns 2008; Field Guide to the Orchids of Madagascar Cribb & Herman 2009; Travaldo's blog copyright pictures
Images:
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Habitat/In situ	Habitat/In situ	Habitat/In situ
Photograph© Etienne Vennetier Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Etienne Vennetier Image used with kind permission.	Photograph© Etienne Vennetier Image used with kind permission.