Thursday, April 11, 2013

Angraecum urschianum

Angraecum urschianum is a tiny species from Madagascar.  The plant is only a couple of centimeters tall with flowers that are as large as the plant and a flower spur or nectary that is huge for the size of the flower, nearly 15 cm in length.  The flowers are probably pollinated by a night-flying moth with a tongue long enough to reach the nectar in the bottom of the spur.  My plant is a seedling blooming for the second time.










9 comments:

  1. I really need to get one of these. Botanica Ltd has sent out out malala's list of plant for import and this on it, but I'm not sure I really want the possible disappointment

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    1. Yeah, I'm toying with ordering a couple more, but imports are always a bit iffy. The other thing to do is wait until Botanica gets more established and get one from them, but that's a bit of a lottery as well.

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  2. Lindo, maravilhoso, fiquei de boca aberta.
    as fotos perfeitas, impressionante.
    abraços

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    1. This is such a marvelous little species, Elisabete. It is unbelievably tiny and so charming with its long spur.

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  3. what a marvellous wee orchid and beautifully illustrated, ron!!!

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    1. Thanks, Iris. This little orchid amazes me again every time I see it. It is so remarkable.

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  4. Hi Ron

    Until yesterday, I had 2 spiking/budding plants of urschianum. Tonight, a tiny slug chewed one of the spikes. Would yours be a bit in advance, so you could help me and send pollen? otherwise, I'll attempt a selfing!

    Laurent

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    1. Hi Laurent,
      For some reason mine has showed no sign of blooming this year, so I'm afraid I can't help. Otherwise you'd be more than welcome to the pollen.

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  5. I have 3 plants, and all .3 initiated a spike, but one stopped before it really develops. so, even in identical conditions, it may not bloom faithfully!

    Thanks anyhow!
    Laurent

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