Aeranthes orthopoda Toill.-Gen., Ursch & Bosser in Adansonia, series 2, 16(1—2):212 (1960).
Description:
Plant with a short stem or apparently stemless. Leaves 11 or 12, linear-oblong to ligulate, leathery, unequally and obtusely bilobed at the apex, 18-22 cm long, 2.2-2.9 cm wide. Inflorescence pendent, simple or branched, 30-70 cm long; peduncle slender, sheaths short. Flowers green; dorsal sepal ovate, narrowed in the apical third, subacuminate, 18 mm long, 10-11 mm wide; lateral sepals larger, obliquely ovate, apex subacuminate, 22 mm long, 12 mm wide; petals ovate-lanceolate, subacuminate, 18-20 mm long, 8-9 mm wide; lip orbicular, narrow at the base, with a short apiculus 3.5-4 mm long, 15-20 mm long, 16-21 mm wide; column foot funnel-shaped, 10 mm long; spur clubshaped, parallel to the ovary, 10-12 mm long.
Habitat:
This epiphytic orchid is found in the central region near Mandraka where it grows in shady forest. Habitat elevation has not been reported, but Du Puy, Cribb, & Bosser (1999) report that plants grow in humid, evergreen forest on the plateau near Antananarivo, and that they usually are found on moss- and lichen-covered trees. Hillerman & Holst (1986) reported that they had successfully grown this species side by side with Aeranthes neoperrieri. The following climate table and cultural suggestions are computed from an estimated elevation based on this information, but they should be used somewhat cautiously until such time as the actual habitat elevation is known.
Cultivation:
Read more of Cultivation of Aeranthes orthopoda Toill.-Gen., Ursch & Bosser,
Distribution:
Central Madagascar
References:
Du Puy, D., P. Cribb, J. Bosser, J. and C. Hermans. 1999. The Orchids of Madagascar. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AB, England. Hillerman, F. and A. Holst. 1986. An introduction to the cultivated Angraecoid orchids of Madagascar. Timber Press, Portland, Ore. Kew Data Base. 2014. http.//apps.kew.org/wcsp/home.do Stewart, J., J. Hermans, and B. Campbell. 2006, Angraecoid Orchids. Timber Press, Portland, OR.; WCSP (2017). 'World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. 21.01-2017; http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/
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