Aeranthes unciformis P.J.Cribb & Nusbaumer

in Candollea 67: 272 (2012).

Répartition

Madagascar.

Floraison : _F__________. Altitude de 170 à 170 m.

Description sommaire

Plante épiphyte. Feuilles de 4 à 5, de 60-80 × 9-20 mm, distiques, oblongues. Bractées ovales. Fleurs de 1 à 3. Sépale dorsal linéaire, de 65-85 × 0-3 mm. Sépales latéraux , de 55-60 × 4-5 mm. Pétales linéaires, de 29-30 × 5-6 mm. Labelle concave, ovale, de 38-50 × 20-22 mm.

Commentaires

Notes. – Aeranthes unciformis is very distinct in the genus. It has the habit of A. laxiflora Schltr., a widespread species in the Mountains of Madagascar, but quite different and much larger flowers. Its flowers are somewhat reminiscent of thoseof A. caudata Rolfe but much larger with longer acumens and are borne two or three at a time in a short inflorescence, rather than appearing in succession on slender elongate wiry branching peduncles. The lip is very distinctive, almost transversely elliptic at the base then drawn out and tapering into a long acumen at the tip. The spur, 22-24 mm long, is also much longer than in most Aeranthes species. The dorsal sepal is very peculiar, curving forwards over the column and lip.Habitat and ecology. – Aeranthes unciformis was recorded in dry deciduous forest close to a seasonal river at 170 m elevation. This epiphytic plant occurs on trunks of trees at 2 to 4 m above ground. It grows in forests with canopies reaching 8 to 12 m, with emergent trees reaching 14 m, with a shrub stratum at 3 to 5 m high, and a sparse suffrutescent stratum less than 0.5 m high.