Aerangis

Aerangis, abbreviated as Aergs in horticultural trade, is a genus of the Orchid family (Orchidaceae). The name of this genus has been derived from the Greek words 'aer' (air) and 'angos' (urn), referring to the form of the lip. It is the type genus of the subtribe Aerangidinae. Approximately 50 species in this genus are known mostly from tropical Africa, but also from the Comoro Islands, Madagascar and Sri Lanka.[2]

Aerangis
Aerangis fastuosa
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Subtribe: Aerangidinae
Genus: Aerangis
Rchb. f.[1]
Type species
Aerangis flabellifolia
Rchb. f.
Species
  • Aerangis alata
  • Aerangis albidiflora
  • Aerangis albido-rubra
  • Aerangis antennophoro
  • Aerangis aporoides
  • Aerangis appendiculata
  • Aerangis arachnites
  • Aerangis arachnopus
  • Aerangis articulata
  • Aerangis biloba
  • Aerangis brachycarpa
  • Aerangis calligera
  • Aerangis caudata
  • Aerangis citrata
  • Aerangis clavigera
  • Aerangis collum-cygni
  • Aerangis coriacea
  • Aerangis cryptodon
  • Aerangis curnowiana
  • Aerangis decaryana
  • Aerangis distincta
  • Aerangis ellisii
  • Aerangis fastuosa
  • Aerangis flabellifolia
  • Aerangis friesiorum
  • Aerangis fuscata
  • Aerangis gracillima
  • Aerangis grandiflora
  • Aerangis hyaloides
  • Aerangis jacksonii
  • Aerangis kirkii
  • Aerangis kotschyana
  • Aerangis luteoalba
    • Aerangis luteo-alba var. rhodosticta
  • Aerangis macrocentra
  • Aerangis malmquistiana
    • Aerangis malmquistiana var. venusta
  • Aerangis mitrata
  • Aerangis modesta
  • Aerangis neoperrieri
  • Aerangis ramosa
  • Aerangis rhodosticta
  • Aerangis roseocalcarata
  • Aerangis sanderiana
  • Aerangis scottii
  • Aerangis somalensis
  • Aerangis spiculata
  • Aerangis stylosa
  • Aerangis thomsonii
  • Aerangis ugandensis
  • Aerangis umbonata
  • Aerangis venosa
  • Aerangis verdickii
Synonyms[2]
  • × Barangis Anon.
  • Barombia Schltr.
  • Microterangis Senghas
  • Radinocion Ridl.
  • Rhaphidorhynchus Finet

Species are usually epiphytic, sometimes lithophytic small orchids, resembling Vandas in appearance. Their large, waxy, star-shaped flowers are generally white, cream-colored or yellow. They show a long, nectar-filled spur, often longer than the flower itself. There is a single stem with many flowers on a long raceme. The lip is flat and resembles the petals and sepals. They give off an agreeable smell during the night. There are six to ten parallel-veined, fleshy, evergreen leaves.

These orchids are not often found in collections, even though they are rather easy to grow. Around 15 species are commonly available. Also Aerangis' descendants from intergeneric hybridization have been registered:

References
  1. Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach. 1865. Flora; oder, (allgemeine) botanische Zeitung. Regensburg, Jena 48: 190
  2. Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  • Reichenbach, H.G. (1865) Flora 48: 190.
  • Pridgeon, A.M., Cribb, P., Chase, M.W. & Rasmussen, F.N. (Eds) (2014) Genera Orchidacearum Volume 6: Epidendroideae (Part 3); page 344 ff., Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-964651-7
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