If you are looking for an orchid that is tall, white, and green, look no further than Angraecum eburneum. This beautiful orchid can reach up to 2 meters in height and has white flowers with green markings. It also spreads a nice, strong perfume at night, making it a popular choice for greenhouse growers. Keep in mind that this orchid requires a high hygrometry and should be grown in a heated or temperate greenhouse.
Description
Angraecum eburneum is a lithophytic or epiphytic, monopodial orchid. It has no pseudobulbs. Usually more than 1 m, sometimes up to 2 m high. The petiole is long, thick, and covered by the leaf base, up to 1.3 m in length and 25 mm in diameter. The leaf is persistent, leathery, liguled, and bilobed.
There are up to 15 leaves per shoot. The leaf is up to 60 cm long and 7 cm wide. The inflorescence is a terminal panicle, up to 80 cm long, with many white flowers. The flower is up to 3 cm in diameter with a greenish-white labellum. Angraecum eburneum is found in Madagascar and Comoros. It blooms from May to June.
The inflorescence is about 45 cm tall, drooping and wears 10-15 flowers, sometimes up to 30 flowers. The flower is 7.5 cm, with white and bright green petals. They spread at night a strong and pleasant fragrance. Flowering takes place in autumn or the beginning of the winter and lasts several months. Angraecum eburneum originates from Madagascar. It was described by Jean Baptiste Lamark in 1788 and its name refers to the Ivory Coast, where it was found by Pierre Sonnerat during his trip (1776-1781) on board the ship La Boudeuse.
The specific epithet “eburneum” comes from Latin “eburneus” = of ivory, in reference to the color of the flower. It is a common orchid in its natural habitat and blooms profusely. It can be grown both in pots and mounted on cork or tree fern slabs, in a light and airy substrate that
The Angraecum eburneum, more commonly known as the comet orchid, is a beautiful and unique flower that is native to Madagascar, Comoros, and Seychelles.
Unlike most other flowers, the comet orchid does not rely on bees or other pollinators for reproduction. Instead, the long tail-like structure of the flower encourages bats to visit in search of nectar. The pollen of the comet orchid is then transferred to other flowers that the bats visit, ensuring that the species can continue to thrive.
In addition to its unusual reproductive strategy, the comet orchid is also notable for its striking appearance. The white petals and long tail give it a resemblance to a shooting star, hence its common name. With its sleek lines and delicate flowers, the comet orchid is truly a sight to behold.
Care
The care requirements for the orchid genus CARE are as follows: the plant should be potted in a mixture of 2/3 bark to 1/3 coco peat substrate, in a clay pot for ballast (as the plant is large and heavy).
The orchid needs a lot of diffused light to flower and should be kept at a temperature of 16-28 degrees Celsius. Watering should be frequent enough to keep the substrate moist, and the minimum hygrometry should be 80%. Add orchid fertilizer at each watering and every 2 waterings in winter.
Repotting should be done every 3-4 years to disturb the roots as little as possible. With proper care, this genus of orchid will bloom prolifically.
Synonyms
Angorchis eburnea, Angraecum eburneum subsp. eburneum, Angraecum eburneum var. virens, Angraecum virens, Limodorum eburneum
Origin
Madagascar, Comoros, Seychelles, Reunion, Mauritius, Kenya, Tanzania
Etymology
Angraecum: angrek or angurek, a Malay word for orchid
Eburneum: from the Latin eburneus (from ivory, white as ivory)
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I’m Mercedes and I love my Jungle Garden. As a child, I spent hours in our family garden and today my little jungle garden is a popular attraction. What started as a hobby has turned into a passion for me, and I’m committed to sharing my love of gardening with everyone.
