Aerangis

Aerangis luteoalba var rhodosticta

The genus Aerangis from the orchid family (Orchidaceae ) consists of about 50 species. The plants grow mostly epiphytic, they come in tropical Africa, Madagascar and with a kind of up to Sri Lanka before. Occasionally, they are cultivated as ornamentals, they bring forth predominantly white colored flowers.

Description

The Aerangis species have a monopodial growth, rarely branched stem axis. This may be compressed or make longer internodes, erect or pendulous grow. In the lower part there are long, enveloped by velamen aerial roots. The leaves sit in two rows on the shoot and are deducted from this by a separating tissue. The leaf base includes the shoot so that it is completely hidden by the leaf bases. They unfold conduplikat, the midrib is well marked. The shape of the blades is sufficient to narrow oval elliptic, above the center of the widest. The blade tip is retracted, so that two unequal lobes arise. The leaves are usually dark green, gray-green or occasionally provided with black spots.

The resupinierten flowers are individually rare, but usually in many-flowered, racemose inflorescences. A single plant can simultaneously produce multiple inflorescences. The flowering period often coincides with the rainy season. The predominant color is white, cream-colored, sometimes tinged greenish or pinkish- brown. Aerangis pallidiflora and Aerangis seegeri have completely light green colored flowers. The petals are not fused together, spread widely until repulsed. The ungelappte lip forms a spur at its base. It is filled with nectar and can surpass the rest of the flower in length. The column bears on the bottom a bit sunken scar and at the end of the stamen. The separation between scar tissue and stamen ( rostellum ) is extended undivided and strong. It extends rearwardly over the scar at Aerangis fastuosa into the spur in, in other types, the Rostellum is curved forward. The two pollinia are connected on a common pedicel with a viscid ( Viscidium ).

The fruit is a cylindrical to oval fruit capsule.

The chromosome numbers for different types be 2n = 42, 46, 50 or 54

Dissemination

The species of the genus Aerangis are widespread in tropical Africa with 31 species, 21 species in Madagascar come before, five of which also occur in the Comoros and Réunion. Aerangis hologlottis has a disjoint distribution area in East Africa and Sri Lanka.

Systematics and botanical history

The genus Aerangis was erected in 1865 by Reichenbach. He made the name Aerangis from the Greek words " aer " for " air" and " angos ", " vessel ". It belongs to the tribe Vandeae. Long time she was placed with several other genera in a subtribe Aerangidinae. However, recent studies favor the merger under a broad subtribe Angraecinae. Aerangis is paraphyletic with respect to the genus Microterangis, both taken together form a monophyletic clade.

The following species are counted to the genus Aerangis:

  • Aerangis alcicornis
  • Aerangis appendiculata
  • Aerangis Arachnopus
  • Aerangis articulata
  • Aerangis biloba
  • Aerangis bouarensis
  • Aerangis brachycarpa
  • Aerangis Calantha
  • Aerangis carnea
  • Aerangis citrata
  • Aerangis collum - cygni
  • Aerangis coriacea
  • Aerangis cryptodon
  • Aerangis decaryana
  • Aerangis distincta
  • Aerangis ellisii Aerangis ellisii var grandiflora
  • Aerangis luteoalba var rhodosticta
  • Aerangis verdickii var rusituensis

Documents

The information in this article come primarily of:

  • Joyce Stewart: Angraecoid orchids: species from the African region. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon 2006, ISBN 0-88192-788-0.
  • Isobyl la Croix, Phillip Cribb: Orchidaceae. In: Flora Zambesiaca. 11, No. 2, 1998 ( Flora Zambesiaca, accessed on 25 April 2008).

Moreover, quoting:

Postgraduate

  • List of Orchid Genera
  • Orchids
  • Orchidaceae
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