Angraecum expansum

Names and Taxonomy

The accepted name for this orchid is Angraecum expansum Thouars. The epithet inflatum was published by Cordemoy as Angraecum expansum var. inflatum in 1899, and some floras list it as a subspecies (spp. inflatum). Current taxonomic treatment by Kew’s Plants of the World Online treats the name as a synonym of A. expansum (see [1] and [2]). No separate author citation is required for the synonym; the accepted authorship remains Thouars.

How to Identify This Species

Published information on the variety inflatum is limited to its taxonomic status. The species Angraecum expansum is described as an epiphytic subshrub with a monopodial stem, narrow leathery leaves, and a single or few fragrant white flowers bearing a long nectar spur typical of the genus. Specific measurements (leaf length, flower size) for the inflatum form are not documented in the cited sources, so identification must rely on the general morphology of A. expansum and comparison with herbarium specimens or confirmed photographs.

Native Range and Habitat

The taxon is recorded from the island of Réunion in the Mascarene Islands. The CITES Orchid Checklist lists Angraecum expansum ssp. inflatum with a distribution limited to Réunion ([3]). In the wild the species grows as an epiphyte on tree trunks and branches in wet tropical forest, favouring humid, shaded micro‑habitats. Elevational limits are not specified in the available references.

Species-Specific Care

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Because no cultivation notes are available for the inflatum form, growers should follow general guidelines for Angraecum expansum where documented, and treat any care regime as experimental until confirmed.

Flowering and Pollination

Flowering period, scent characteristics, nectar spur length and pollinator information for the inflatum taxon are not recorded in the cited literature.

Evidence and Limitations

The primary knowledge about this taxon comes from taxonomic databases (Kew POWO) and the CITES orchid checklist, which confirm its synonymy and island distribution. Morphological details, ecological preferences beyond “wet tropical forest”, and horticultural requirements are absent from the available sources. Further field studies or cultivated observations are needed to complete a comprehensive species profile.