In August of 2012, the initial post regarding Angraecum leonis was published in the blog. Since then, I have received numerous emails and questions dealing with the two varieties of Angcm. leonis. The questions center around the distinctive differences between Angcm. leonis from Madagascar and Angcm. leonis from the Comoro Islands. This post will give a visual description of the two varieties along with a review of the culture that I use to grow these phenomenal plants.
As stated in the original post, the Angcm. leonis from Madagascar is the smaller of the two varieties. It grows at the very northern tip of Madagascar at about sea level where the annual rainfall is nothing compared to the amount of rain that the variety from the Comoro Islands receives. The amount of rainfall has a big play into the size of the two varieties.
With less rainfall, the Madagascar version is usually half the size. The leaves are shorter but are very fleshy. The thickness of each leave can be 2 - 2 1/2 times as thick. The leaves hold moisture due to the fact they receive less rain. As I have shown with other Angraecums, when the plants are exposed to more moisture, they have a tendency to become larger plants. When they are not, they adapt to survive.
Comoro Islands version.
As stated in the original post, the Angcm. leonis from Madagascar is the smaller of the two varieties. It grows at the very northern tip of Madagascar at about sea level where the annual rainfall is nothing compared to the amount of rain that the variety from the Comoro Islands receives. The amount of rainfall has a big play into the size of the two varieties.
With less rainfall, the Madagascar version is usually half the size. The leaves are shorter but are very fleshy. The thickness of each leave can be 2 - 2 1/2 times as thick. The leaves hold moisture due to the fact they receive less rain. As I have shown with other Angraecums, when the plants are exposed to more moisture, they have a tendency to become larger plants. When they are not, they adapt to survive.
Angcm. leonis (Madagascar version) the thick fleshy leave
retains what moisture it can get due to the dry climate.
The leaves of the Madagascar version are about half the size on a mature plant compared to the version from the Comoro Islands.
Angcm. leonis (Madagascar version) the longest leaf on this
mature plant is less than half the size of a leaf from theComoro Islands version.
Angcm. leonis (Comoro Islands version) the leaves on each
side of the plant are just about the same length. Can reach
an overall combined width of 14 plus inches (35 cm) on a
well established mature specimen.
Both versions of Angraecum leonis will do well mounted to a cork or a tree fern slab. During the warmest part of the growing season, the plants must be watered daily with an additional misting later in the afternoon. If you see that there are wrinkles forming in the leaves, hydrate the plant several times a day until the wrinkles start to disappear. If the plants have been mounted with any moss around their base, be sure to thoroughly soak the material (it will dry out quickly during the summer heat and with any breeze blowing).
Either version can be potted or placed in baskets with a fast drain medium. The roots of plants that have been placed in pots can develop root rot if not allowed to partially dry. Very often when the leaves start to show wrinkles, it can also spell out the fact that the roots have rotted and the plant is not getting sufficient moisture even if you're watering on a regular basis.
Keep an eye on potted plants! In sub-tropical and tropical climates, it is best to use a non-organic material when potting or placing plants in baskets. This very warm and humid climate will brake down the organic mediums very quickly forcing you to change the medium more frequently. This does not bode well for the root systems.
Flowers of the two versions of Angraecum leonis is also another tell tale sign as to the identity of the plant. The Madagascar version of Angcm. leonis is only about 1 - 1 1/2 inches (3-4cm) wide and about 1 1/2 - 2 inches (4-5cm) high with a nectary/spur about 2 3/4 - 4 inches (7-10cm) long. The Comoro Islands version is about 2 1/4 - 3 inches (6-9cm) wide and about 3 inches (8cm) high with a nectary/spur of about 3 1/2 inches (9cm) long. Both versions are scented and can last up to four weeks if the plants are not exposed to harsh weather while in bloom.
One last visual point of difference between the two Angcm. leonis versions is the shape or the bends of the nectary/spur. The nectary of the Comoro Islands version goes back behind the flower draws down and then comes forward underneath the flower. The Madagascar version will go behind the flower, draw down and as it comes forward reverse again to form the letter 'S'. These are common traits but keep a mental note that not everything is written in stone.
The Comoro version on the left while the Madagascar version
is on the right showing the letter 'S' in a developing bud of
Angraecum leonis.
No matter what version you are growing, you will be very pleased once the plant starts producing flowers on a yearly basis.
Como são lindos, tenho só o didieri e ainda está pequeno.
ReplyDeleteabraços
Thank you for this post. The pictures are very helpful.
ReplyDeleteThe giant "Comoros" leonis grows in Northern Madagascar too, and I even suspect that the plants grown in cultivation said to be from the Comoros are from Madagascar instead.
ReplyDeleteOlaf P
Olaf, that is very interesting information. The main reason for this post was to try and help people distinguish the differences between the two plants. I had talked to a grower that had recently spent time in Madagascar and was trying to follow up on a similiar story. I never did get a straight answer from him regading this stroy. The shame here in the states is that many growers that don't reproduce the plants themselves usually can't say one way or the other as to what plant they are selling. I would like any information you have regarding this so that I may make an addition to the blog. I would certainly give the credit where it is due. I can be reached at tkangcm@live.com . Thanks for the heads up!
ReplyDeleteCan they be grown in lava rock?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteHi! I just recently acquired an A. leonis. The orchid nursery has it posted as the Comoro type. However, I recently watched a VLOG in which makes me think that my orchid may be the Madagascar type. I'm also not sure if what I have is a seedling or not. Is there a difference in the appearance of their roots?
ReplyDeleteHi, i wonder if you have specific culture care tips for angraecum leonis? I just obtained a seedling of it and i'm scared to mess it up 🙃 thank you!
ReplyDelete