Angraecum
(pronounced: an-GREY-kum)
Classification
Vandeae subtribe Angraecinae. Garay’s (1973) treatment, dividing the genus into 19 sections, has been widely accepted.
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Overview
Monopodial epiphytes, lithophytes and terrestrials, rooting at the base or along the stems. Stems short to elongate and vining, solitary to freely branching. Leaves alternate, distichous, leathery, strap-shaped, terete or bilaterally compressed, often obliquely bilobed at the apex, usually leathery. Inflorescences axillary, one-flowered, racemes or panicles, the floral bracts often dark brown. Flowers usually star-shaped, resupinate or not resupinate, usually fragrant at night, often waxy and glossy, white, green, or green and white, rarely with brown suffusion. Sepals and petals free, spreading, subsimilar, subequal, most frequently lanceolate. Lip unlobed or rarely obscurely three-lobed, usually concave, with a short to very long nectar spur. Column very short, without wings or a foot; pollinia 2, globose, grooved on one side, attached to a common viscidium or to a pair of distinct viscidia.
Etymology
From the Latinized form of the Malay angurek, a term for large monopodial orchids such as Aerides and Vanda.
Distribution
A genus of about 200 species from Tropical Africa, Madagascar, and adjacent islands with one species in Sri Lanka.
Care and Culture Card
See basic growing conditions and care information below.
Most horticultural literature on Angraecum recommends warm, wet conditions suitable for the larger-flowered, lower elevation species. Failure to appreciate the great ecological diversity of habitats found among Angraecum has thwarted many attempts to grow successfully the range of interesting species in the genus. Many species of Angraecum come from relatively high elevations and require cool-intermediate to cool temperatures. In addition, many of the smaller-statured species experience a pronounced dry season in nature and maintain a cyclic growth cycle in cultivation. Because of this diversity, only general cultural guidelines can be given here. Grow angraecums in pots or baskets using a medium-grade to coarse-grade epiphyte mixture. Provide medium bright light levels but avoid very strong light except among those species with terete or subterete leaves. Water frequently, allowing the roots to dry out fully between waterings. Place only a small pad of moisture-retaining material at the roots of mounted plants or mounth them without any material at the roots. Temperature requirements range from cool to warm depending on the elevation of the plants in nature although most species will tolerate intermediate conditions. Plants of Angraecum can be mounted on slabs but they require special care to avoid excessive dehydration. Slabbed plants should be watered up to four times per day depending on the ambient humidity and the moisture-retaining properties of the slab.
Literature
Braem, G. J. 1991. Angraecum popowii Braem, spec. nov. Schlechteriana 4/91:163-166. Nilsson, L. A., L. Jonsson, L. Rason and E. Randrianjohany 1985. Monophily and pollination mechanisms in Angraecum arachnites Schltr. (Orchidaceae) in a guild of long-tongued hawk-moths (Sphingidae) in Madagascar. Biol. J. Linn. Soc. 26:1-19. Bosser, J. 1987. Contribution à l’étude des Orchidaceae de Madagascar et des Mascareignes, XXII. Adansonia 9(3):249-254. Bosser, J. 1988. Contribution à l’étude des Orchidaceae de Madagascar et des Mascareignes, XXIII. Adansonia 10(1):19-24. Bosser, J. 1989. Contribution à l’étude des Orchidaceae de Madagascar et des Mascareignes, XXIV. Adansonia 11(1):29-39. Bosser, J. 1989(1990). Contribution à l’étude des Orchidaceae de Madagascar et des Mascareignes, XXVI. Adansonia 11:369-382. Bosser, J. and P. Morat 1972. Contribution à l’étude des Orchidacees de Madagascar, XVIII. Adansonia 12(1):73-78. van Ede, G. 1984. Angraecum stella-africa. S. Afr. Orchid J. 15(4):134-135. Garay, L. A. 1973. Systematics of the genus Angraecum (Orchidaceae). Kew Bull. 28:495-516. Hermans, J. and P. Cribb 1997. A new species of Angraecum (Orchidaceae) from Madagascar. Orchid Rev. 105(1214):108-111. Hermans, J. and I. la Croix 2001. Angraecum clareae Hermans, la Croix & P. J. Cribb sp. nov. Orchid Rev. 109(1237):43-46. Manning, J. and G. Wright 1982. An Angraecum new to Natal. S. Afr. Orchid J. 13(4):88-89. Morgans, J. F. C. 1976. Is Angraecum eburneum a facultative apomict? S. Afr. Orchid J. 7(3):92-93. Senghas, K. 1997. Vielfalt tropischer und suptropischer Orchideenstandorte und ihre Übertragung in die Kultur, dargestellt am Beispiel der Gattung Angraecum in Madagaskar mit einer neuen Art, Angraecum dollii. Journ. Orchideenfreund 4(1):13-25. Senghas, K. 1997. Vielfalt tropischer und suptropischer Orchideenstandorte und ihre Übertragung in die Kultur, dargestellt am Beispiel der Gattung Angraecum in Madagaskar mit einer neuen Art, Angraecum dollii, Teil II. Journ. Orchideenfreund 4(2):103-106. Stewart, J. 1979. Angraecum sesquipedale var. angustifolium. Fl. Pl. Africa 46:pl. 1836. Toilliez-Genoud, J. and J. Bosser. 1961. Contributions à l’étude des Orchidaceae de Madagascar IV, sur un Angraecum et un Cynorchis nouveaux. Adansonia 1:100-103. Williamson, G. 199##. A new species of Angraecum (Orchidaceae) from South Central Africa. Kew Bull. 51(2):557-559.
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