At a glance
RECORDED PROFILE DATA- Scientific name
- Angraecum sesquisectangulum Kraenzl.
- Name status
- Accepted
- Native region
- Madagascar
- Growth habit
- Epiphytic subshrub
- Cultivation temperature group
- Not documented
Names and Taxonomy
Angraecum sesquisectangulum Kraenzl. is the accepted name for this species. It was first published in Mitt. Inst. Allg. Bot. Hamburg 5: 238 (1923) and is listed as an accepted name by Kew’s Plants of the World Online.[1] No synonyms or spelling variants are recorded in the consulted sources. The species is native to Madagascar and is described as an epiphytic subshrub growing in seasonally dry tropical habitats.[1]
How to Identify This Species
The plant grows as an epiphytic subshrub reaching roughly 40 cm in height.[2] Leaves and stem details are not documented in the available sources. Flowers are reported as white to greenish‑white, fragrant, and appear in the months of January, February, March and December.[2] Because detailed floral measurements (lip size, spur length) are not provided, identification should be confirmed with a herbarium specimen or reliable photograph when possible.
Native Range and Habitat
All documented records place Angraecum sesquisectangulum in Madagascar.[1] The species is an epiphyte, typically growing on tree trunks or branches in the seasonally dry tropical biome of the island. Specific elevation limits, host tree preferences, or precise forest types are not recorded in the cited references.
Species‑Specific Care
| Factor | Documented guidance | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Growth habit | Epiphytic; can be mounted or grown in a very well‑draining medium. | POWO description of epiphytic subshrub.[1] |
| Watering | Low drought tolerance; keep the medium consistently moist but not water‑logged. | NativePlants.info notes low drought tolerance.[2] |
| Light | Not documented – recommend bright, filtered light typical for many Angraecum epiphytes. | Not documented |
| Temperature | Not documented – likely warm to intermediate based on Madagascar’s tropical climate, but specific range unknown. | Not documented |
| Humidity | Not documented – epiphytes generally prefer high humidity. | Not documented |
| Fertilisation | Not documented. | Not documented |
| Repotting / mounting | Not documented; use bark‑based orchid mix if potted. | Not documented |
When cultivated, maintain steady moisture to avoid stress, as the species shows low drought tolerance. Because detailed cultural parameters are lacking, growers should monitor the plant for signs of dehydration or excess moisture and adjust watering and airflow accordingly.
Flowering and Pollination
Flowers are reported to open in January, February, March and December, suggesting a flowering period that spans the southern hemisphere’s summer and early autumn.[2] The blooms are fragrant, a trait common in many Angraecum species that often attract moth pollinators, but specific pollinator observations for A. sesquisectangulum are not documented.
Evidence and Limitations
The profile relies on two online sources. Detailed morphological data (leaf shape, flower dimensions, spur length), precise habitat elevation, and species‑specific cultivation protocols are not available in the consulted material. Further field studies or horticultural reports would be needed to fill these gaps.
Frequently asked questions
What size does Angraecum sesquisectangulum reach?
Plants grow to about 40 cm tall in the wild.[2]
When does this species flower?
Flowering has been recorded in January, February, March and December.[2]
Are the flowers scented?
Yes, the flowers are reported as fragrant.[2]
Related terminology
- Epiphyte
- A plant that grows on another plant (such as a tree) but is not parasitic, obtaining water and nutrients from the air and rain.
- Subshrub
- A woody plant with a low, bushy growth habit, often less than one meter tall.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
Sources & references
- Angraecum sesquisectangulum Kraenzl. | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science, https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:616417-1
- Angraecum sesquisectangulum (Angraecum sesquisectangulum) | NativePlants.info, https://www.nativeplants.info/plant/magnoliophyta-flowering-plants/orchidaceae/angraecum/angraecum_sesquisectangulum.html
