Angraecum litorale

Names and Taxonomy

Angraecum litorale Schltr. was first described in 1925 in Repertorium Specierum Novarum Regni Vegetabilis. Beihefte 33: 327[1]. The name is currently accepted by Kew’s Plants of the World Online[1] and is listed in the CITES Orchid Checklist as an accepted name[7]. A later homotypic synonym is Perrierangraecum litorale (Schltr.) Szlach., Mytnik & Grochocka (2013)[1][3]. No other common names are recorded in the available sources.

How to Identify This Species

This orchid is a miniature epiphytic subshrub that grows on tree trunks in humid forest. The stem is short and bears 5–6 ligulate leaves that are unequally and obtusely bilobed at the apex. The inflorescence is lateral, single‑flowered, and arises from the stem surrounded by two to three compressed sheaths. The flower measures about 2 in (5 cm) across[3] and is borne on an oval, apiculate floral bract. Colour and fragrance are not documented in the sources consulted. The combination of a short epiphytic habit, few bilobed leaves, and a solitary medium‑sized flower helps separate it from other Malagasy Angraecum species, though definitive identification may require comparison with herbarium material.

Native Range and Habitat

Angraecum litorale is endemic to the eastern coastal region of Madagascar[1][3]. It occurs in wet tropical forest at elevations from sea level up to roughly 500 m[3]. The species grows as an epiphyte on tree trunks, favouring the humid microclimate of coastal forests.

Species-Specific Care

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Because the species is described as a “hot growing” epiphyte, growers should aim for warm daytime temperatures (above 24 °C) and maintain good air movement. Mounting on tree bark or using a bark‑based mix will mimic its natural substrate, but specific watering frequencies and humidity levels have not been reported for this taxon.

Flowering and Pollination

In the wild the plant blooms in the spring season[3]. The flower lasts long enough to be noted in cultivation, but precise longevity and fragrance timing are not recorded. No pollinator observations are documented for Angraecum litorale in the sources consulted.

Evidence and Limitations

The present profile is based on a limited set of references. Key horticultural parameters such as light intensity, watering regime, humidity, and detailed pollination ecology are not documented for this species. Future field studies or cultivated observations would be needed to fill these gaps.