Aeranthes sambiranoensis Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 33: 284 (1925).
Description:
Plants acaulis, with 3-5 narrowly linear (23-30 x 0.9-1.4 cm) leaves. Inflorescence ascending, to 33 cm long, simple or sometimes branched; peduncle subfiliform, rigid, 1.5-2 mm in diameter, with 6-8 long, acute sheaths, of a pale color and obviously shorter titan the internodes; rachis short or very short, many flowered, developing gradually; bracts lanceolate-acuminate, very narrow, 5-6mm. long, shorter titan the pedicel; flowers thin and greenish. Sepals oval-lanceolate, elongated very acuminate, 24 mm long, the laterals slightly enlarged above the base, slightly enlarged on the front margin. Petals slightly shorter titan the sepals (19 mm) elongated and very acuminate above with a widely oval basal lamina. Labellum widely oval (19 x l0 mm above the middle), trisinuate apically, lateral lobes semi-oval-falciform, very obtuse and incurved, the median narrow and elongated by an acumin (8 mm long); foot widely boat shaped, nearly 12 mm long; spur 23 mm long, widely enlarged at the oriface, straight, projecting in front, thickened-globular apically, twice as wide at the center. Column 3 mm tall. Pedicel 7- 8 mm long.
Habitat:
Epiphyte, from slightly humid forests. 800 m. alt.; flowering in January.
Cultivation:
As given for the genus.
Distribution:
N. Madagascar
References:
WCSP (2017). 'World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. 21.01-2017; http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/
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