Aeranthes schlechteri Bosser, Adansonia, n.s., 9: 547 (1970).
Synonyms:
Neobathiea gracilis Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 33: 370 (1925).
Neobathiea sambiranoensis Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 33: 371 (1925).
Description:
Plants acaulis, leaves 4-6 oblong-lingulate (10-12 x 1.2-1.7cm), slightly attenuate toward the base. Inflorescence very thin single flowered; peduncle 8-18 cm long, with 3-4 long acuminate, tightly appressed sheaths, bracts half as long as the pedicel: flowers very large, white and very thin. Sepals linear, 5 cm long, slightly enlarged basally. Petals narrowly lanceolate from the have, then elongated in a long acumin, to 2.5 cm long. Labellum 2.5 x 1 cm above the base, very contracted basally, rhomboid-hastate, acuminate, convex and pubescent on the upper basal face. Spur curved in front, slightly enlarged toward the oriface, filiform and 12 cm long. Column 3.5 mm long: median lobe of the rostellum longer than the auricles. Pedicel thin 15 mm long.
Habitat:
Epiphyte: on bushes; flowering in March.
Cultivation:
As given for the genus.
Distribution:
N. Madagascar
References:
Flora of Madagascar Perrier 1939/81 as Neobathiea gracilis and N sambiranoensis; Angraecoid Orchids Stewart, Hermans and Campbell 2007; Orchids of Madagascar Hermans 2007; Field Guide to the Orchids of Madagascar Cribb & Herman 2009; WCSP (2017). 'World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. 21.01-2017; http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/
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