Angraecum cornigerum

Names and Taxonomy

The accepted scientific name is Angraecum cornigerum Cordem.¹ The name was first published in Revue Générale de Botanique 11:418 (1899). A later homotypic synonym is Pseudojumellea cornigera (Cordem.) Szlach., Mytnik & Grochocka (2013)¹. The species is listed in CITES Appendix II, reflecting its regulated trade status.³

Common name documented in horticultural literature: “Horn Carrying Angraecum”³.

How to Identify This Species

Growth habit: Epiphytic subshrub forming an erect or pendulous stem up to about 500 mm long, sometimes branched, with old leaf sheaths retained on the stem². Roots are few, thick, verrucose and arise from the base.²

Leaves: Narrowly linear, channeled on the upper surface, dull bluish‑green, sub‑acute; leaf sheaths are reticulate and rough.²

Flower: Single flower per inflorescence, borne on an opposite leaf. Sepals and petals are white to greenish, about 4 cm long (overall flower size ~4 cm). The labellum measures 35–40 mm × 18–25 mm, broadly ovate with a long‑acuminate tip². A distinctive filiform spur 130–150 mm long hangs pendent from the lip². The flower is fragrant, especially in the evening, and emits a sweet scent typical of many Angraecum species.³

Comparison: It may be confused with other medium‑sized Angraecum species such as A. sesquipedale, but the relatively short labellum and the extremely long, thin spur are diagnostic for A. cornigerum.

Native Range and Habitat

The species is endemic to Réunion, where it occurs in mid to high elevation native forests, including the caldera (cirque) regions. Documented elevational range is 850–1 950 m, with some records as low as 600 m and as high as 1 700 m³². It grows as an epiphyte on native trees in wet tropical forest, favouring humid, mist‑laden environments. The species’ Area of Occupancy is estimated at 36 km² and Extent of Occurrence at 171 km², with four known localities within the Réunion National Park². A possible but unconfirmed occurrence on Madagascar has been noted, pending collection of flowering material².

Species‑Specific Care

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Because the species is naturally autogamous (self‑pollinating) and can flower on mature plants without a specific pollinator, it is relatively forgiving in cultivation. However, the limited native range and the plant’s preference for high humidity mean that growers should monitor for rot if airflow is insufficient.

Flowering and Pollination

Flowering in the wild occurs in the late spring to early summer months (approximately October–December in the Southern Hemisphere)³. Each inflorescence bears a single flower that lasts several weeks. The flower emits a sweet fragrance, especially in the evening, which in many Angraecum species attracts hawk moths; however, A. cornigerum is reported to be autogamous, with pollinia in direct contact with the stigma, allowing self‑fertilisation without a pollinator².

Conservation and Responsible Cultivation

The species has a very restricted distribution on Réunion and occupies a small area of occupancy (36 km²). Although it occurs within the Réunion National Park, habitat invasion by alien species is a concern². No formal IUCN Red List assessment is cited in the available sources; growers should therefore source plants responsibly, ensuring they are obtained from legal, cultivated stock rather than wild collection.

Evidence and Limitations

Most morphological and ecological data derive from the original description (Cordemoy 1899) and a recent taxonomic treatment (Zenodo 2020)². Cultivation recommendations are limited to a few horticultural observations; many standard care parameters (light intensity, exact watering regime, fertiliser regime) remain undocumented for this species. Further field studies and ex‑situ trials would help refine cultural guidelines.