Aerangis
Encyclopedia
Aerangis, abbreviated as Aergs in horticultural trade, is a genus
of the Orchid family (Orchidaceae
). The name of this genus has been derived from the Greek words 'aer' (air) and 'angos' (urn), referring to the form of the lip. It is the type genus
of the subtribe Aerangidinae
. Approximately 50 species in this genus are known mostly from tropical Africa
, but also from the Comoros Islands, Madagascar
and Sri Lanka
.
Species are usually epiphytic, sometimes lithophytic small orchids, resembling Vandas in appearance. Their large, waxy, star-shaped flowers are generally white, cream-colored or yellow. They show a long, nectar-filled spur, often longer than the flower itself. There is a single stem with many flowers on a long raceme. The lip
is flat and resembles the petal
s and sepal
s. They give off an agreeable smell during the night. There are six to ten parallel-veined, fleshy, evergreen leaves.
These orchids are not often found in collections, even though they are rather easy to grow. Around 15 species are commonly available. Also Aerangis descendants from intergeneric hybridization have been registered:
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of the Orchid family (Orchidaceae
Orchidaceae
The Orchidaceae, commonly referred to as the orchid family, is a morphologically diverse and widespread family of monocots in the order Asparagales. Along with the Asteraceae, it is one of the two largest families of flowering plants, with between 21,950 and 26,049 currently accepted species,...
). The name of this genus has been derived from the Greek words 'aer' (air) and 'angos' (urn), referring to the form of the lip. It is the type genus
Type genus
In biological classification, a type genus is a representative genus, as with regard to a biological family. The term and concept is used much more often and much more formally in zoology than it is in botany, and the definition is dependent on the nomenclatural Code that applies:* In zoological...
of the subtribe Aerangidinae
Aerangidinae
Aerangidinae is a subtribe within the tribe Vandeae in family Orchidaceae. It consists of 36 genera and about 300 species. The type genus of this subtribe is Aerangis. Members of this group are epiphytic orchids having a monopodial habit and are endemic to tropical Africa and Madagascar...
. Approximately 50 species in this genus are known mostly from tropical Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, but also from the Comoros Islands, Madagascar
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
and Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
.
Species are usually epiphytic, sometimes lithophytic small orchids, resembling Vandas in appearance. Their large, waxy, star-shaped flowers are generally white, cream-colored or yellow. They show a long, nectar-filled spur, often longer than the flower itself. There is a single stem with many flowers on a long raceme. The lip
Labellum
Labellum is the Latin diminutive of labium, meaning lip. These are anatomical terms used descriptively in biology, for example in Entomology and botany.-Botany:...
is flat and resembles the petal
Petal
Petals are modified leaves that surround the reproductive parts of flowers. They often are brightly colored or unusually shaped to attract pollinators. Together, all of the petals of a flower are called a corolla. Petals are usually accompanied by another set of special leaves called sepals lying...
s and sepal
Sepal
A sepal is a part of the flower of angiosperms . Collectively the sepals form the calyx, which is the outermost whorl of parts that form a flower. Usually green, sepals have the typical function of protecting the petals when the flower is in bud...
s. They give off an agreeable smell during the night. There are six to ten parallel-veined, fleshy, evergreen leaves.
These orchids are not often found in collections, even though they are rather easy to grow. Around 15 species are commonly available. Also Aerangis descendants from intergeneric hybridization have been registered:
- ×Aerangaeris (Aerangis × RangaerisRangaerisRangaeris is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae.- References :*Pridgeon, A.M., Cribb, P.J., Chase, M.A. & Rasmussen, F. eds. . Genera Orchidacearum 1. Oxford Univ. Press....
) - ×Amesangis (Aerangis × AmesiellaAmesiellaAmesiella is a genus of orchid endemic to the island, Luzon, in the Philippines.-List of species:* Amesiella minor Senghas * Amesiella monticola Cootes & D.P.Banks * Amesiella philippinensis Garay Amesiella is a genus of orchid endemic to the island, Luzon, in the Philippines.-List of...
) - ×Angrangis (Aerangis × AngraecumAngraecumThe genus Angraecum, abbreviated as Angcm in horticultural trade, common name Angrek or Comet Orchid, contains about 220 species, some of them among most magnificent of all orchids. They are quite varied vegetatively and florally and are adapted to dry tropical woodland habitat and have quite...
) - ×Diaphanangis (Aerangis × DiaphanantheDiaphanantheDiaphananthe is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae.- References :*Pridgeon, A.M., Cribb, P.J., Chase, M.A. & Rasmussen, F. eds. . Genera Orchidacearum 1. Oxford Univ. Press....
) - ×Euryangis (Aerangis × EurychoneEurychoneEurychone is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae. The genus was founded in 1918 by Rudolf Schlechter.- References :...
) - ×Summerangis (Aerangis × SummerhayesiaSummerhayesiaSummerhayesia is a genus of flowering plants from the orchid family, Orchidaceae.- References :*Pridgeon, A.M., Cribb, P.J., Chase, M.A. & Rasmussen, F. eds. . Genera Orchidacearum 1. Oxford Univ. Press....
) - ×Thesaera (Aerangis × AeranthesAeranthesAeranthes, abbreviated Aerth in the horticultural trade, is an orchid genus with 47 species, mostly from shady, tropical humid forests in Zimbabwe, Madagascar and islands in the Western Indian Ocean. The name "aeranthes" means 'aerial flower', because it grows high in the air.Aeranthes has a single...
)