Angraecum bemarivoense

Names and Taxonomy

Angraecum bemarivoense Schltr. was first described in Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 33: 332 (1925) and is accepted as the correct name by Kew’s Plants of the World Online.¹ A later homotypic synonym is Lesliegraecum bemarivoense (Schltr.) Szlach., Mytnik & Grochocka (2013).¹ No other common names are recorded in the available sources.

How to Identify This Species

The plant is an epiphytic subshrub that typically reaches about 30 cm in height.⁴ Leaves are arranged along a short, upright stem and are attached to a network of aerial roots that cling to tree bark. The inflorescence bears one or a few flowers that are white and emit a noticeable fragrance, especially at night. Flowering has been reported in all months of the year, suggesting a prolonged or opportunistic blooming period.⁴ Detailed measurements of the flower (lip length, spur length, etc.) are not provided in the sources consulted.

Native Range and Habitat

Angraecum bemarivoense is native to the north‑eastern and central regions of Madagascar, where it occurs in wet tropical forest biomes.¹ In its natural setting the species grows as an epiphyte on the branches or trunks of forest trees, relying on high ambient humidity and frequent rainfall. Specific elevation ranges are not documented.

Species‑Specific Care

Scroll to explore the table →

Because specific horticultural data are lacking, growers should treat this orchid as a typical humid‑forest epiphyte: provide bright, filtered light, maintain high humidity, and use a bark‑based medium that stays moist but drains quickly. Monitoring for typical epiphytic orchid pests (scale, mealybugs) is advisable.

Flowering and Pollination

Flowers are white, fragrant, and reported to bloom throughout the year.⁴ The fragrance and long nectar spur typical of many Angraecum species suggest moth pollination, but no direct observations have been published for A. bemarivoense. Flower longevity and precise pollinator identity remain undocumented.

Evidence and Limitations

The taxonomic status and native distribution are well supported by Kew’s Plants of the World Online.¹ Morphological details such as leaf size, flower dimensions, and precise elevation range are not available in the cited sources. Likewise, specific cultivation parameters (light intensity, temperature range, watering frequency) have not been published for this species, so the care table contains many “Not documented” entries. Further field studies and horticultural trials are needed to fill these gaps.