FZ.40. Aerangis Rchb. f.

Stewart, J. (1979) A Revision of the African Species of Aerangis (Orchidaceae) Kew Bulletin 34(2) 239-319

Description of the genus

Epiphytic herbs. Stem usually unbranched covered with remains of overlapping leaf bases. Leaves distichous, usually oblanceolate, fleshy or coriaceous, often with reticulate venation, unequally 2-lobed at apex. Inflorescence lateral, racemose, few- to many-flowered. Flowers white, sometimes tinged with green, brown or pink. Sepals and petals free. Lip entire, often similar to sepals and petals; base with a long spur. Column often narrow towards base, enlarged at level of stigma; pollinia 2; stipes 1.

Derivation of name: Aer (Gr); angis (Gr), meaning air-vessel, probably referring to the long hollow spurs.

Worldwide: c. 60 in tropical and South Africa, one extending to Sri Lanka

Malawi: 12 taxa.

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Links to taxa:     View: living plant images - herbarium specimen images - all images for this genus

SpeciesFZ divisionsContent
alcicornis (Rchb. f.) GarayS
appendiculata (De Wild) Schltr.N,C,SDescription, Image
brachycarpa (A.Rich.) T.Durand & SchinzN,CDescription, Image
carnea J.L. Stewart[NrEnd]N
distincta J.L. Stewart & la Croix[End]N,C,S
kotschyana (Rchb. f.) Schltr.N,SDescription, Image
montana J.L.Stewart N
mystacidii (Rchb. f.) Schltr.SDescription, Image
oligantha Schltr.[NrEnd]N
somalensis (Schltr.) Schltr.Description
splendida J.L.Stewart & la Croix
verdickii (De Wild.) Schltr. var. verdickii N,C,SDescription, Image

Other sources of information about Aerangis:

Our websites:

Flora of Caprivi: cultivated Aerangis
Flora of Mozambique: Aerangis
Flora of Zambia: Aerangis
Flora of Zimbabwe: Aerangis

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Aerangis
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Aerangis
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Aerangis
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Aerangis
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Aerangis
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Aerangis
JSTOR Plant Science: Aerangis
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Aerangis
Plants of the World Online: Aerangis
Tropicos: Aerangis
Wikipedia: Aerangis

Copyright: Mark Hyde, Bart Wursten, Petra Ballings and Meg Coates Palgrave, 2014-24

Hyde, M.A., Wursten, B.T., Ballings, P. & Coates Palgrave, M. (2024). Flora of Malawi: Genus page: Aerangis.
https://www.malawiflora.com/speciesdata/genus.php?genus_id=440, retrieved 28 March 2024

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