Aeranthes tropophila Bosser, Adansonia, n.s., 11: 91 (1971).
Description:
Stemless, epiphytic upright plant; five to seven leaves, with short, overlapping sheaths; leaves 10-17cm long, 1.5- 1.9 cm wide, obtusely bilobed; three to five inflorescences 2—2.5 cm long with one to four flowers; peduncle slender, 1 cm long; flowers fleshy; dorsal sepal 1.1-1.6 cm x 3-3.5 mm, five-veined; lateral sepals with unequal sides, 1.2-1.6 cm x 4.5-5 mm, also five-veined; petals 1-1.3 cm x 2.8-3 mm, three- to five-veined; lip 7-8 mm long, 4.5-4.7 mm wide, with denticulate edges at tip; spur 5-6 mm long, 1.2-1.3 mm in diameter; pedicellate ovary 5 mm long.
Habitat:
Aeranthes tropophila is an epiphyte herb growing in dry, deciduous scrubland, and in tropical xerophilous forests.
Cultivation:
As given for the genus.
Notes:
With its short inflorescences, it is reminiscent of Aeranthes laxiflora Schlechter, but the characteristics of the floral segments are distinct.
Distribution:
Western Madagascar
References:
WCSP (2017). 'World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. 21.01-2017; http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/
Images:
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