Angraecum eichlerianum var. curvicalcaratum

Names and Taxonomy

The accepted scientific name for this plant is Angraecum eichlerianum var. curvicalcaratum Szlach. & Olszewski. It is treated as a valid variety of Angraecum eichlerianum Kraenzl., a species native to West‑Central Africa [1]. The name was first published in Flora Cameroun 36: 898 (2001) and is accepted by both Kew’s Plants of the World Online and World Flora Online [9]. A later synonym, Eichlerangraecum eichlerianum var. curvicalcaratum (Szlach. & Olszewski) Szlach., Mytnik & Grochocka, appears in the 2013 taxonomic revision [1]. No common name is documented for this variety.

How to Identify This Species

Like the nominal species, the variety is a large to giant‑sized epiphytic orchid with a monopodial growth habit. Stems are erect and can become long and vining, bearing distichously arranged, narrowly elliptic‑oblong leaves that range from about 1.5 cm to 15 cm in length [7]. The flowers are white with a fragrant jasmine‑to‑lily scent, typical of the species [4]. The spur measures roughly 3–4 cm in length, and the overall flower width can reach about 7.5 cm (3 in) [8]. Blooming occurs in the early summer (June–August) in its native range [4]. Because the variety is not frequently illustrated, identification should be confirmed by comparing leaf size, flower spur length, and fragrance with authenticated herbarium material.

Native Range and Habitat

The variety is recorded from Cameroon and Gabon, placing it in the West‑Central Tropical Africa region [1]. It inhabits lowland, wet tropical forests, typically at elevations around 150 m above sea level [8]. In the wild it grows as an epiphyte on the branches of mature trees, favouring humid, shaded canopy environments.

Species‑Specific Care

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In practice, growers report successful cultivation when the plant receives ample air circulation and is mounted on bark slabs, mimicking its natural epiphytic habit [4]. Because the species prefers a warm environment, avoid exposing it to temperatures below 15 °C for prolonged periods.

Flowering and Pollination

Flowers open in the early summer months (June–August) in Cameroon and Gabon [4]. The blossoms are long‑lasting and emit a strong jasmine‑to‑lily fragrance, a trait that typically attracts nocturnal moth pollinators in related Angraecum species, but specific pollinators for this variety have not been documented.

Conservation and Responsible Cultivation

An IUCN Red List assessment exists for Angraecum eichlerianum var. curvicalcaratum (2021), but the snippet does not provide the conservation category [10]. Collectors should ensure that any material obtained comes from legally sourced, cultivated stock rather than wild collection, given the species’ limited distribution.

Evidence and Limitations

Most morphological details (flower size, spur length) derive from descriptions of the broader species, not the variety specifically. Direct measurements for var. curvicalcaratum are lacking, as are data on pollinators, precise humidity requirements, and fertilisation regimes. Future field studies and cultivated observations are needed to refine these aspects.