Angraecum pseudopetiolatum

Names and Taxonomy

The accepted scientific name for this species is Angraecum pseudopetiolatum Frapp. ex Cordem. The name was first published in Flora of Île Réunion 207 (1895)【3】. Several later works list Angraecum costatum Frapp. in Cordem. (1895) as a synonym of A. pseudopetiolatum【1】. No subspecies or varieties are recorded in the Catalogue of Life or other recent checklists【2】. The name is treated as accepted in recent taxonomic revisions (Lankesteriana 2021)【3】.

How to Identify This Species

Plants are epiphytic, reaching a total height of 10–43 cm. Leaves are lanceolate, arranged alternately along the stem, measuring about 40–60 mm long and 6–11 mm wide【1】. The inflorescence bears one or two small green flowers. Sepals are ovoid: dorsal 2–6 × 1–3 mm, lateral 3–6 × 1–3 mm; petals are lanceolate, 3–6 × 1–2 mm. The lip (labellum) is concave, 3–6 × 1–4 mm, and the nectar spur is short (4–7 mm). The flower’s fragrance and pollinator are not documented. These dimensions, together with the green flower colour and short spur, help separate it from other Réunion Angraecum species such as A. costatum (which is now considered a synonym) and A. coriaceum, which have larger, differently coloured flowers.

Native Range and Habitat

This orchid is endemic to the Mascarene island of Réunion. Herbarium records place it on trees between 1,000 m and 2,500 m altitude, indicating a preference for montane humid forest zones【1】. It grows as an epiphyte on bark, often in areas with consistent mist and high humidity, typical of the island’s high‑elevation cloud forests.

Species‑Specific Care

Scroll to explore the table →

Specific horticultural recommendations for A. pseudopetiolatum have not been published. Growers who wish to attempt cultivation should consider the species’ natural montane, humid environment: moderate temperatures, bright‑indirect light, frequent misting, and excellent air circulation. However, these are general guidelines derived from the habitat description and not from species‑specific trials.

Flowering and Pollination

The flowering period is not explicitly recorded in the available literature; a fragmentary note in a French orchid site lists “Floraison : J______ASOND”, which is ambiguous and cannot be interpreted reliably【1】. No pollinator observations are documented for this taxon.

Evidence and Limitations

Most information comes from regional floristic works and taxonomic revisions. Detailed measurements of plant size and flower parts are provided by the Limodore site【1】, while the synonymy and name status are supported by the Lankesteriana article【3】 and the Swedish Wikipedia entry【2】. No peer‑reviewed cultivation studies, phenology data, or pollination observations were found. Consequently, many horticultural aspects remain undocumented.