Aeranthes orophila Toill.-Gen., Naturaliste Malgache 10: 19 (1959).
Description:
Plant small with a short stem 5-10 cm high, usually several stems growing together. Leaves borne along the stem, grass-like, attenuate at both ends, canaliculate, sometimes falcate, 4-6 cm long, 3-5 mm wide. Inflorescences several, single-flowered; peduncle thread-like, with 4-7 brown sheaths that cover the internodes at the base, the upper ones shorter, 3-6 cm long. Flowers greenish white, small dorsal sepal oval-lanceolate, 7-9 mm long. 3-5 mm wide; lateral sepals similar, subacuminate. 7-10 mm long, 3-4 mm wide; petals acuminate. 6-8 mm long, 3-5 mm wide; lip rectangular, auriculate at the base, with a small, 2-mm-Iong acumen at the apex, surface undulate, 6-7 mm long, 7-9 mm wide; column foot 3 mm long; spur cylindlical-conical, upright at the apex, 3-5 mm long.
Habitat:
Epiphyte in humid, mossy forest; 2000-2500 m: flowering November to January and in May.
Cultivation:
As given for the genus.
Distribution:
N. & C. Madagascar
References:
WCSP (2017). 'World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. 21.01-2017; http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/
Images:
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