The genus Eulophia in the island of Comoros; Réunion, Mauritius and Seychelles (Mahé)
References:
POWO (2022). "Plants of the World Online. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet; http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/ Retrieved 27 November 2022."
Eulophia splendida (Koop. & P.J.Cribb) M.W.Chase & Schuit., Phytotaxa 491: 53 (2021).
Homotypic Names:
Oeceoclades splendida Koop. & P.J.Cribb, Orchid Digest 80: 41 (2019).
Description:
The species is very similar to Oeceoclades humbertii, but Oeceoclades humbertii has smaller flowers and four lanceolate leaves on the terminal pseudobulb and therefore is probably deciduous, where as Oeceoclades splendida has mostly only one (sometimes two) oval, flat leaves which persist for a number of seasons; this plant shows only one leaf per pseudobulb and the leaves fit the description and photos almost exactly; size of the flower segments are in range for Oeceoclades splendida; midlobe, if flattened, is a match to the line drawing in the original description.
Habitat:
Distribution:
Madagascar
References:
Expansion of the orchid genus Eulophia (Eulophiinae; Epidendroideae) to include Acrolophia, Cymbidiella, Eulophiella, Geodorum, Oeceoclades and Paralophia by Mark W. Chase, André Schuiteman & Pankaj Kumar. Phytotaxa 491 (1); POWO (2022). "Plants of the World Online. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet; http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/ Retrieved 26 November 2022."
Images:
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Eulophia analavelensis (H.Perrier) M.W.Chase & Schuit., Phytotaxa 491: 50 (2021).
Homotypic Names:
Lissochilus analavelensis H.Perrier, Notul. Syst. (Paris) 8: 41 (1939).
Eulophidium analavelense (H.Perrier) Summerh., Bull. Jard. Bot. État Bruxelles 27: 395 (1957).
Oeceoclades analavelensis (H.Perrier) Garay & P.Taylor, Bot. Mus. Leafl. 24: 259 (1976).
Heterotypic Synonyms:
Eulophidium angustifolium Senghas, Adansonia, n.s., 6: 557 (1966).
Eulophidium angustifolium subsp. diphyllum Senghas, Adansonia, n.s., 6: 561 (1967).
Oeceoclades angustifolia (Senghas) Garay & P.Taylor, Bot. Mus. Leafl. 24: 258 (1976).
Oeceoclades lavergneae J.-B.Castillon, Richardiana 12: 159 (2012).
Eulophia angustifolia (Senghas) M.W.Chase & Schuit., Phytotaxa 491: 51 (2021).
Eulophia lavergneae (J.-B.Castillon) M.W.Chase & Schuit., Phytotaxa 491: 53 (2021).
Description:
Plants 30-40 cm tall, pseudobulbs narrow, 2-3 cm tall, enveloped by the very long, yellowish sheaths, tightly compressed to the rhizome, of the 3-4 mm in diameter; roots white (2-3 mm in diameter). Leaves ordinary solitary per bulb (rarely 2), longly petiolate; petiole thin, 1.5-4 cm long, generally slightly shorter than the limbus, articulate near the middle; limbus narrowly-lanceolate (5-8 cm x 8- 11 mm), coriaceous, maculate with darker green and whitish spots, with much larger spots near the center or above, attenuate acute toward both ends and very finely veined. Inflorescence thin, 2-3 times longer than the pseudobulb and its leaf (30-45 cm), developing prior to the emergence of the new bulb; peduncle 1-2 times longer than the raceme, concealed by the sheaths basally and bearing 4-5 appressed, scariaceous sheaths, to about I 2rnm. long, and not covering more than about one-fifth of the internode; raceme very loose, generally branched near the base with the branch bearing 3-4 flowers, the remainder of the cluster simple and 6-10 flowered, flowers about 1-2 cm apart, bracts very short (1.5-3 mm), acute, not covering more than about a tenth of the total length of the pedicel; flowers glabrous. Sepals and petals nearly similar, slightly obovate (6 x 4 mm), very obtuse apically, yellowish and with 3 obscure veins. Labellum and spur oriface separated from the column by its foot, 4-lobed, much longer than wide (11 mm), provided with 2 large. connical-obtuse basal calluses. and in front of these 3 projecting lines to the base of the apical lobes; basal lobes; nearly an large as the apical, 4 mm wide, obtuse and provided with 4-5 violet tinted veins, very visible on the yellowish background; apical lobes narrower (6.5 x 3 mm), obtuse, margins parallel, diverging and with 3 branched veins: spur 4 mm long, 2 mm wide basally and 2.5 mm apically, rounded-hall shaped. Column 4 mm long, elongated in front by a 1 mm long foot; clinandrium oblique with the posterior margins enlarged-triangular-cute. Anther 1.4 mm wide, truncate apically, provided behind with a hump, 0.8 mm tall. Pedicel 15-18 mm long.
Habitat:
Terrestrial, forest from 950-1250 m alt.;
Phenology:
Flowering in March.
Distribution:
SW. Madagascar
References:
Flora of Madagascar Perrier 1939/81; Orchids of Madagascar Hermans, Du Puy, Cribb & Bosser 2007; Field Guide to the Orchids of madagascar Cribb & Hermans 2009; Expansion of the orchid genus Eulophia (Eulophiinae; Epidendroideae) to include Acrolophia, Cymbidiella, Eulophiella, Geodorum, Oeceoclades and Paralophia by Mark W. Chase, André Schuiteman & Pankaj Kumar. Phytotaxa 491 (1): POWO (2022). "Plants of the World Online. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet; http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/ Retrieved 24 November 2022."
Images:
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Read more of Cultivation of Eulophia cochlearis Lindl.,
Light:
2000-3000 fc. Light should be filtered or diffused, and plants should not be exposed to direct midday sun. Strong air movement should be provided at all times.
Temperatures:
Summer days average 72-75F (22-24C), and nights average 56-59F (13-15C), with a diurnal range of 16-17F (9-10C).
Humidity:
70-75% through most of the year, becoming slightly greater for a month or so in autumn.
Water:
Rainfall in the region is light to moderate throughout the year, with a fairly long semidry period in summer and a shorter somewhat drier period in winter. Cultivated plants should be watered fairly often when actively growing, but drainage must be excellent, and conditions around the roots should never become stale or soggy.
Fertilizer:
1/4-1/2 recommended strength, applied weekly when plants are actively growing. Many growers prefer to use a balanced fertilizer throughout the year; but others use a high-nitrogen fertilizer from spring to midsummer and then switch to one high in phosphates in late summer and autumn.
Rest period:
Winter days average 64-65F (18C), and nights average 42-44F (6-7C), with a diurnal range of 21-23F (12-13C). Conditions in nature occasionally drop below freezing for short periods, but plants are dormant at the time and temperatures below the soil level probably remain above freezing. Plants in cultivation should be protected from below freezing temperatures. Water should be reduced in winter and when plants are not actively growing, but plants should not be allowed to dry out completely. Fertilizer should be reduced or eliminated when water is reduced.
Growing media:
Hawkes (1965) suggests culture of plants in this genus possibly as for Eulophia. For Eulophia species, Hawkes (1965) recommended that the terrestrial plants in this genus be grown in the same manner as Phaius, and as with Phaius, they benefit from "frequent and liberal applications of fertilizers of various sorts." The following are recommendations for growing Phaius species in general and should work well with terrestrial Eulophias or Acrolophias. A mix of equal parts soil, rotted cow manure, and peat or sphagnum moss is used successfully. As these plants are found in sandy soils, adding sand to the medium may be beneficial. A top dressing of additional rotted cow manure is added each spring when growth resumes. A soilless mix of 1/3 fine fir bark, 1/3 perlite, 1/6 sand, and 1/6 peat moss is an alternate medium if growers object to using manure. However, fertilizer must be faithfully applied since few nutrients are available from this medium. Phaius are easily grown in the garden in dappled shade areas if suitable weather conditions prevail, but excellent drainage and ample moisture must be available. Plants grown in the greenhouse should be potted in large containers which are adequate for about 2 years' growth. Large pots are also needed to provide stability to the taller species. Phaius will outgrow their pots in 2-3 years and may easily be divided if they become too large. However, growers recommend repotting annually and report that small divisions produce more blossoms than large clumps. Divisions should be no smaller than 3 growths; but 5-6 growths normally continue to bloom. Repotting is best done in early spring as new growth resumes and should be avoided before the winter rest.
Notes:
In discussing Acrolophia in general, Hawkes (1965) stated, "This is a genus of about nine or more species of terrestrial orchids of the subtribe Polystachyinae, which in basic appearance simulate certain kinds of Eulophias, although they are not particularly allied to that group. All inhabit southern Africa, and their mostly dull, usually brown flowers offer little of interest to collectors."
References:
This information is quoted from a Charles and Margaret Baker culture sheet, with permission from Troy Meyers
Read more of cultivation of Eulophia roseovariegata (Senghas) M.W.Chase & Schuit.,
Culture:
Light:
2000-3000 fc. Light should be filtered or diffused, and plants should not be exposed to direct midday sun. Strong air movement should be provided at all times.
Temperatures:
Summer days average 81-83F (27-27C), and nights average 68F (20C), with a diurnal range of 13-15F (7-8C).
Humidity:
80-85% for most of the summer into early autumn. Averages then drop to near 65% in winter and early spring.
Water:
Rainfall in the region is heavy in summer and early autumn, but averages then fall quickly into a dry season that extends for 6-7 months from midautumn through the following spring. Cultivated plants should be watered heavily and be allowed to dry out completely while actively growing. Water should be reduced after growth is completed, however.
Fertilizer:
1/4-1/2 recommended strength, applied weekly when plants are actively growing. Many growers prefer to use a balanced fertilizer throughout the year; but others use a high-nitrogen fertilizer from spring to midsummer, then switch to one high in phosphates in late summer and autumn.
Rest period:
Winter days average 77-78F (25-26C), and nights average 62-64F (17-18C), with a diurnal range of 14-15F (8C). Water should be reduced after growth is completed and the plants kept almost dry until new growth starts in spring. Fertilizer should be eliminated until heavier watering is resumed.
Growing media:
Bechtel, Cribb, & Launert (1980) recommended growing the Oeceoclades species in a medium comprised of equal parts of peat, loam, and sand. A mix of 1/3 fine fir bark, 1/3 perlite, 1/6 sand, and 1/6 peat moss should also work well. Fertilizer must be faithfully applied, however, since few nutrients are available from these mediums.
References:
This information is quoted from a Charles and Margaret Baker culture sheet, with permission from Troy Meyers
