Aerangis

Aerangis
Aerangis ellisii plate from Lindenia Iconographie des Orchidées
Scientific Classification Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Liliopsida Order: Asparagales Family:Orchidaceae Subfamily: Epidendroideae Tribe: Vandeae SubTribe: Aerangidinae Alliance: Genus: Aerangis Rchb.f 1865 Type Species Aerangis brachycarpa

Aerangis, abbreviated as Aergs in horticultural trade, is a genus of the Orchid family (Orchidaceae).

Distribution

Approximately 50 species in this genus are known mostly from tropical Africa, but also from the Comoros Islands, Madagascar and Sri Lanka.

Description

Species are usually epiphytic, sometimes lithophytic small orchids, resembling Vandas in appearance. Their large, waxy, star-shaped flowers are generally white, cream-colored or yellow. They show a long, nectar-filled spur, often longer than the flower itself. There is a single stem with many flowers on a long raceme. The lip is flat and resembles the petals and sepals. They give off an agreeable smell during the night. There are six to ten parallel-veined, fleshy, evergreen leaves.

These orchids are not often found in collections, even though they are rather easy to grow.

Culture

Plants are best grown hanged in baskets and on mounted and usually require full sunlight and warm temperatures. If hunged the roots must be watered frequently. Plants should be grown in media that is well drained such as tree fern fibers (for small plants),several pieces of coarse fir bark, or sphagnum moss.

Naming

The name of this genus has been derived from the Greek words 'aer' (air) and 'angos' (urn), referring to the form of the lip.

Synonyms

1. Aerobion Spreng. 1826 in part
2. Angorkis Thou. 1809
3. Angorchis Spreng 1822
4. Barombia Schlechter 1914
5. Radinocion Ridley 1887
6. Rhaphidorhynchus Finet 1907

Species

Aerangis alcicornis Aerangis appendiculata Aerangis arachnites Aerangis arachnopus Aerangis articulata Aerangis biloba Aerangis bouarensis Aerangis brachycarpa Aerangis calantha Aerangis carnea Aerangis citrata Aerangis collum-cygni Aerangis concavipetala Aerangis confusa Aerangis coriacea Aerangis cryptodon Aerangis decaryana Aerangis distincta Aerangis ellisii Aerangis ellisii var. ellisii Aerangis ellisii var. grandiflora Aerangis fastuosa Aerangis flexuosa Aerangis fuscata Aerangis gracillima Aerangis gravenreuthii Aerangis hologlottis Aerangis hyaloides Aerangis jacksonii Aerangis karthalensis Aerangis kirkii Aerangis kotschyana Aerangis luteoalba Aerangis luteoalba var. rhodosticta Aerangis macrocentra Aerangis maireae Aerangis megaphylla Aerangis modesta Aerangis monantha Aerangis montana Aerangis mooreana Aerangis mystacidii Aerangis oligantha Aerangis pallidiflora Aerangis pulchella Aerangis punctata Aerangis rostellaris Aerangis seegeri Aerangis somalensis Aerangis spiculata Aerangis splendida Aerangis stelligera Aerangis thomsonii Aerangis ugandensis Aerangis verdickii Aerangis verdickii var. rusituensis Aerangis verdickii var. verdickii.

Natural Hybrids

• Aerangis × chirioana
• Aerangis × primulina