Angraecum curvicalcar

Names and Taxonomy

Angraecum curvicalcar Schltr. is the accepted name for this species according to Kew's Plants of the World Online[1]. The name was first published in Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 33: 325 (1925). A later homotypic synonym is Perrierangraecum curvicalcar (Schltr.) Szlach., Mytnik & Grochocka[1]. No subspecies or varieties are listed in the available sources.

How to Identify This Species

The plant is an epiphytic subshrub that reaches about 30 cm in height[2]. Leaves are arranged along a short stem typical of many Angraecum species, though detailed leaf morphology is not documented in the sources consulted. The flowers are white to greenish‑white, fragrant, and may appear at any time of year[2]. Individual flower dimensions are not provided. The combination of an epiphytic habit, modest plant size, and fragrant white flowers helps distinguish it from other Madagascan Angraecum, but precise identification should be confirmed with a herbarium specimen or expert verification.

Native Range and Habitat

Angraecum curvicalcar is native to the northern part of Madagascar[1][2]. It grows as an epiphyte in wet tropical forest biomes, typically on tree trunks or branches where moisture is abundant. The exact elevation range is not specified in the sources, but the wet tropical classification indicates a preference for humid, low‑to‑mid‑elevation forest environments.

Species‑Specific Care

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Because the only documented attribute of the species' ecology is its epiphytic, wet‑tropical nature, growers should aim to replicate a humid, well‑ventilated environment with frequent but not water‑logged watering, using a bark‑based or coarse orchid mix and mounting the plant on a suitable support. Precise temperature ranges, light levels, and fertilisation regimes remain undocumented and should be adjusted based on general Angraecum guidelines and observation of plant health.

Flowering and Pollination

Flowering has been reported throughout the year, with blooms recorded in every month of the calendar[2]. The flowers emit a noticeable fragrance, which in many Angraecum species attracts moth pollinators, but specific pollinator observations for A. curvicalcar are not documented.

Evidence and Limitations

Key aspects such as detailed morphological measurements, precise elevation range, pollinator identity, and comprehensive cultivation parameters are not available in the current sources. Information presented here is based on the limited excerpts from Kew's Plants of the World Online and NativePlants.info. Further field studies and horticultural observations are needed to fill these gaps.