At a glance
RECORDED PROFILE DATA- Scientific name
- Angraecum pyriforme Summerh.
- Name status
- Accepted (Kew)
- Native region
- West Tropical Africa (Ivory Coast, Nigeria, possibly Cameroon)
- Growth habit
- Epiphytic subshrub
- Cultivation temperature group
- Not documented
- Conservation status
- Vulnerable (IUCN 3.1)
Names and Taxonomy
Angraecum pyriforme Summerh. is the accepted scientific name for this species. The name was first published in Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information, Kew 1936: 230[1]. Kew’s Plants of the World Online lists the name as accepted and provides no listed synonyms[1].
How to Identify This Species
This orchid grows as an epiphytic subshrub. Documented plant height reaches about 30 cm[3]. Leaves and stem morphology are not detailed in the available sources, so identification should rely on the flower when possible. The flowers are described as white to greenish‑white, fragrant, and may bloom throughout the year[3]. No measurements of lip size, spur length, or other floral parts are documented, so a definitive visual key is limited.
Native Range and Habitat
Angraecum pyriforme occurs in West Tropical Africa. Kew records native populations in Ivory Coast and Nigeria[1]; Wikipedia adds Cameroon as part of its range[4]. The species inhabits wet tropical biomes, specifically subtropical or tropical moist montane forests[4]. It is an epiphyte, growing on tree branches in humid forest canopies. Elevational limits are not documented.
Species‑Specific Care
| Factor | Documented guidance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Growth habit | Epiphytic; can be mounted on bark or grown in a very coarse, well‑aerated medium. | Kew; NativePlants.info[1][3] |
| Light | Not documented for this species. | — |
| Temperature | Not documented for this species. | — |
| Watering | Not documented; the natural habitat is a moist forest, suggesting regular moisture. | — |
| Humidity | Not documented; native forest is humid, so high humidity is likely beneficial. | — |
| Fertiliser | Not documented. | — |
| Propagation | Dust seeds require symbiotic mycorrhizal fungi or sterile agar medium; conventional cold stratification is not applicable. | NativePlants.info[3] |
| Seasonal care | Not documented. | — |
Because specific cultural parameters (light intensity, temperature range, watering frequency) have not been published for A. pyriforme, growers should emulate the conditions of a humid, shaded tropical canopy: bright but filtered light, warm temperatures typical of lowland to montane West African forests, and consistently moist media. Monitoring plant vigor and adjusting humidity are advisable.
Flowering and Pollination
Flowers are reported to be fragrant, white to greenish‑white, and may appear in any month of the year[3]. No pollinator has been documented for this species, and the literature provides no experimental data on pollination ecology.
Conservation and Responsible Cultivation
The IUCN Red List classifies Angraecum pyriforme as Vulnerable (IUCN 3.1)[4]. The primary threat is habitat loss due to deforestation and land‑use change in its West African range. Cultivation from seed, using the propagation method described above, can help reduce pressure on wild populations.
Evidence and Limitations
Key gaps include detailed morphological measurements, precise elevation range, and specific horticultural parameters (light, temperature, watering). Pollination biology is also undocumented. Future field studies and cultivated observations are needed to fill these gaps.
Frequently asked questions
What is the natural habitat of Angraecum pyriforme?
It is an epiphytic orchid native to wet tropical montane forests of West Tropical Africa, recorded from Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and possibly Cameroon.
Is Angraecum pyriforme threatened in the wild?
Yes. The IUCN Red List assesses the species as Vulnerable, mainly because of habitat loss in its native range.
How can I propagate Angraecum pyriforme?
Propagation is by seed. Dust seeds require symbiotic mycorrhizal fungi or sterile agar media; conventional cold stratification does not apply.
Related terminology
- Epiphyte
- A plant that grows upon another plant (such as a tree) non‑parasitically, obtaining moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, and debris accumulating around it.
- Montane forest
- A forest ecosystem found in mountainous regions, typically characterized by high humidity, frequent cloud cover, and cooler temperatures compared with lowland forests.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
Sources & references
- Angraecum pyriforme Summerh. | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science, https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/616364-1
- Angraecum pyriforme – Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angraecum_pyriforme
- Angraecum pyriforme | NativePlants.info, https://www.nativeplants.info/plant/magnoliophyta-flowering-plants/orchidaceae/angraecum/angraecum_pyriforme.html
