MarilyninOttawa
The genera Aerangis and Aerides are both of the Old World. There are some 50 species of Aerangis known from mostly Madagascar and nearby islands and continental Africa. Check out the CITES Orchid Checklist for accepted names in current use.

The genus Aerides is smaller, containing about 15 species. Representatives are found through southern Asia and the Philippines.

Where Aerangis flowers are mostly night fragrant, those of Aerides are heavily scented by day. Both genera are horticulturally popular although some species are uncommon in cultivation. Collection pressure and loss of habitat have placed many species at risk especially in Madagascar where recently, the largest representative of the genus Aerangis, Aergs. ellisii, has been upgraded to Appendix I on the CITES list.

AERANGIS (Aergs.), pronounced Ah-er-an-gis is a genus of orchids having monopodial growth habit.

As you see in the illustrated Aerangis macrophylla, there are no pseudobulbs but there is a variable length stout stem from which arise leaves, roots and inflorescences. With age, these plants produce offsets toward the base of the stem. Leaves are generally dark green, oval to elongate and leathery to succulent with a noticeable notched tip. In many species, there are only a few pairs of leaves. Water and nutrients are stored primarily in the thick, rampant root system. These epiphytic orchids are extremely vulnerable to root loss.

Aerangis flowers are mostly white to cream although sometimes the anther cap and the often long floral spurs are colored yellow through green to pink. In Aergs. luteo-alba var. rhodosticta, the anther cap is a striking orange red.

The usual presentation of flowers is on long, multi-flowered sprays although there are exceptions. Tiny Aergs. punctata has several greyish oval leaves measuring less than an inch long. Roots are thick, rampant and warted over the outer surface. The one or two flowers are many times larger than the plant and last no more than a week. This species has distinctive periods of growth and is best raised mounted to accommodate the large flower and long spur.

Easily the largest of the genus, Aergs. ellisii is a massive plant at maturity. Long arching sprays of up to 20 large white, long-spurred flowers are magnificent. The robust plant can be grown mounted but ultimately is best managed in a large sturdy basket.

Since Aerangis is a large genus spread over quite a wide range, one would expect that species would have a similarly wide range of growing requirements.

There are shade-requiring species that grow cool such as Aergs. montana of Malawi and Tanzania. There are intermediate, shade-loving species such as Aergs. brachycarpa of East Africa and Aergs. luteo-alba which has continent-wide distribution. This is Aergs. brachycarpa.

West African Aergs. biloba is a warm-grower that prefers shade. Species such as Aergs. ellisii and Aergs. verdickii require a warm, wet growing season followed by a cooler rest when watering is withheld. To grow any of the species well, one must respect seasonal requirements of temperature and moisture.

Details about Aerangis growing conditions have been published by Marg and Charlie Baker. In these fact sheets, one can learn much about the monthly conditions that these species experience in their natural habitat.

Aerangis punctata
Aerangis luteo-alba

Aergs. brachycarpa is an East African species whose flowers resemble a flight of white birds. This species is best raised mounted to accommodate the graceful flowers with their long spurs.

Aergs. hyaloides is a small white-flowered species from Madagascar. The pure white flowers are borne on short sprays. Spurs are relatively short so this species can be grown in a pot. Plain green narrowly oval leaves. Take special care with the watering.

Aergs. luteo-alba var. rhodosticta comes from such a wide area that there are bound to be some ecotypes. When the only plants in commerce were wild-collected, they had a bad reputation for being difficult to establish.

Today, seed-raised stock presents much less difficulty to the careful grower but one still must provide the warm, humid conditions this orchid prefers. Note also that the orchid grows seasonally, from about March to November. The plant will indicate its willingness to begin growth by developing a new root. This is when fertilizer should be applied to ensure that there is rapid, steady growth of new leaves and roots.

Aergs. macrocentra gray green leaves and Aergs. modesta are two Madagascar species having long sprays of lovely white flowers. These species should be grown in subdued light and under humid, intermediate conditions.

Aergs. macrocentra inflorescence

Aergs. macrocentra flower detail

Aergs. Spiculosticta (spiculata x luteo-alba) is one of the few Aerangis hybrids. The colored anther cap trait has been inherited from A. luteo-alba.

Are there any questions about Aerangis?

art,simpsonville_sc
Are the species generally fragrant? One of the first things I do when I see flower is stick my nose in it

MarilyninOttawa
Some of these species are night-fragrant while others have virtually no discernable odor. Of course, a pollinator might say otherwise! What I showed you was the range of flower size and shape. I cannot say too often: acquire seed-raised stock for best results.

barbara_in_no._CA
Most of the Madagascar species are white and fragrance, any reasons for that?

MarilyninOttawa
The genus Aerangis is widespread but a concentration of species is found in Madagascar. Most species are night-pollinated by moths which are attracted by scent to nectar-laden blooms. There is a range of pollinators and so it may be that some partners have evolved to not need scent as an attractor.

AERIDES (Aer.), pronounced A-er-ee-deez is a small but showy genus of monopodial orchids. The generic epithet was first published in 1790 for Aer. odorata, the Type species. The generic name was first applied to a range of orchids including what we now know as Kingidium, Micropera, Neofinetia, Phalaenopsis, Rhynchostylis, Sedirea, Vanda, and even a Cymbidium.

Most Aerides species have white and pink/cherry pink flowers with a large prominent floral spur. The lip is showy, usually three-lobed with the mid-lobe folded upwards in some species such as Aer. lawrenciae, covering the entry to the nectar-containing spur.

In others such as Aer. crispa, the central lip lobe is broad and spreading.

The fifteen Aerides species are found from India and Sri Lanka to the Philippines but only a few species including Aer. lawrenciae and Aer. odorata are commonly found in collections.

al_@_michigan
Is that because of difficulty in growing them or is their availability and cost an issue?

MarilyninOttawa
I do not know the reason.

Aer. falcata, odorata and Aer. lawrenciae can be grown into large specimens outdoors in frost-free regions where they can make stunning conversation points in a garden. Aerides is used to make intergeneric hybrids with Vanda and related genera where the characteristic lip shape is highly conserved. These heavily fragrant, spicy-scented orchids are usually grown in baskets and can become quite massive with age.

Aer. falcata - This showy, fragrant southeast Asian species can make a wonderful specimen plant. The flowers may not individually be particularly attractive but when gathered into an arching multi-flowered raceme, the effect is stunning. Flower color carries from white and rose pink to a yellow/pink variety, var. houelletiana. picture Technically, Aer. falcata var. houlletiana is the yellow form of the species. The ground color is yellow-yellowish with pink markings. I expect that there is quite a range of shading and according to light provided when the plant is in bud.

Aer. lawrenciae - Large strap-leaved plants of this Philippine species carry pendent sprays of large cherry pink and white flowers. The large floral spur is immediately recognizable in the species and its hybrid progeny.

Aer. quinquevulnera is known from the Philippines and nearby Papua New Guinea. The scented flowers are have varying degrees of fine rose purple spotting on a white ground as well as similarly colored blotches at the tips of all flower segments. picture The floral spur and lip are greenish white with some rose purple markings. I rarely see Aer. quinquevulnera here. I feel that it is one of the most delightful and easy to manage species.

It is the plant form of Aer. quinquevulnera which sets this species apart from its close relative, Aer. odorata. The strap-like leaves are somewhat constricted near the point of attachment to the central axis such that the structure resembles a petiole.

art,simpsonville_sc
picture This is my Aerides rosea (fieldingii). This is last year's bloom . Its about to pop now maybe next week. Very fragrant. Will it put out multiple spikes or do they typically just produce one, Marilyn?

MarilyninOttawa
Art, the correct name is Aer. rosea and yours is a beauty! The species is also widely known as Aer. fieldingi which is not the correct name. Aer. rosea is a mountain species and tolerates cool night temperatures. I would not grow it warm all the time as can be done with other lowland species. As a plant matures, it should be able to produce multiple spikes.

MarilyninOttawa
When shopping for Aerides species or hybrids, look for robust seed-raised plants, and sib crosses of fine, selected clones. Note the broad lip which is quite different to the folded lips of the others previously illustrated. I do not know if any of you have raised intergeneric hybrids of Aerides. Some Aerovandas are quite stunning with their long floriferous sprays of fragrant blooms.

Jade
Not I but I don't know if I have proper conditions for them. Vandas don't grow for me. I saw them growing well in Sri Lanka in baskets of charcoal.

MarilyninOttawa
I would grow Aerides on a post or slab or in a basket. The potting medium should be coarse and porous. In the tropics, we have used broken brick/ clay tiles or charcoal but you could also try chunks of coconut husk. Aerides need bright diffused light.

art,simpsonville_sc
Mine is in lava rock

MarilyninOttawa
Lava rock, hydroponic gravel, etc should all work well. Aerides enjoy as buoyant atmosphere as do many orchids. High humidity with good air movement encourages growth.

Jade
Marilyn, is most of the intergeneric breeding done with vandas?

MarilyninOttawa
Aerides rosea will probably not only tolerate coolness but be more vigorous with cooler conditions. You might like to try Vanda coerulea which also likes it cooler. Intergeneric hybrids have been mostly with Vanda and Ascocentrum. Christieara is (Aer x Acstm x Vanda). Christiearas are sometimes more compact and certainly can be floriferous. Flower spacing can improve but the Aerides lip shape is usually dominant.

Glenis
I wanted to ask about Aerangis coriaccea which I have had for a number of years, and in flower now. I have not been able to find anything much out about it - no listing in Wildcatt, Hawks, Pridgeon etc. Does it perhaps have a synonym?

MarilyninOttawa
According to the Kew list: Aerangis coriacea Summerh. is a valid species from Kenya, and Tanzania. I am sorry but I do not have a picture.

Glenis
Aha - I always thought it was a Madagascar species. Don't worry about the photo - mine is in flower now. Thanks

MarilyninOttawa
Check out the CITES Orchid Checklist for accepted names in current use.

end

 PRECHAT HANDOUT

Genera whose names begin with A - Aerangis and Aerides

Marilyn H. S. Light

Copyright May, 2003

The genera Aerangis and Aerides are both of the Old World. According to the CITES Orchid Checklist of accepted names in current use, there are some 50 species of Aerangis known from mostly Madagascar and nearby islands and continental Africa. The genus Aerides is smaller, containing about 15 species. Representatives are found through southern Asia and the Philippines. Where Aerangis flowers are mostly night fragrant, those of Aerides are heavily scented by day. Both genera are horticulturally popular although some species are uncommon in cultivation. Collection pressure and loss of habitat have placed many species at risk especially in Madagascar where recently, the largest representative of the genus Aerangis, Aergs. ellisii, has been upgraded to Appendix I on the CITES list.

AERANGIS (Aergs.), pronounced 'Ah-er-an-gis', is a genus of orchids having monopodial growth habit. There are no pseudobulbs but there is a variable length stout stem from which arise leaves, roots and inflorescences. With age, these plants produce offsets toward the base of the stem. Leaves are generally dark green, oval to elongate and leathery to succulent with a noticeable notched tip. In many species, there are only a few pairs of leaves. Water and nutrients are stored primarily in the thick, rampant root system. These epiphytic orchids are extremely vulnerable to root loss. The flowers are mostly white to cream although sometimes the anther cap and the often long floral spurs are colored yellow through green to pink. In Aergs. luteo-alba var. rhodosticta, the anther cap is a striking orange red. The usual presentation of flowers is on long, multi-flowered sprays although there are exceptions. Tiny Aergs. punctata has several greyish oval leaves measuring less than an inch long. Roots are thick, rampant and warted over the outer surface. The one or two flowers are many times larger than the plant and last no more than a week. This species has distinctive periods of growth and is best raised mounted to accommodate the large flower and long spur. Easily the largest of the genus, Aergs. ellisii is a massive plant at maturity. Long arching sprays of up to 20 large white, long-spurred flowers are magnificent. The robust plant can be grown mounted but ultimately is best managed in a large sturdy basket.

Since Aerangis is a large genus spread over quite a wide range, one would expect that species would have a similarly wide range of growing requirements. There are shade-requiring species that grow cool such as A. montana of Malawi and Tanzania. There are intermediate, shade-loving species such as A. brachycarpa of East Africa and A. luteo-alba which has continent-wide distribution. West African A. biloba is a warm-grower that prefers shade. Species such as A. ellisii and A. verdickii require a warm, wet growing season followed by a cooler rest when watering is withheld. To grow any of the species well, one must respect seasonal requirements of temperature and moisture. Details about Aerangis growing conditions have been published by Marg and Charlie Baker. In these fact sheets, one can learn much about the monthly conditions that these species experience in their natural habitat.

Aerangis punctata fact sheet

Aerangis luteo-alba fact sheet

Aergs. brachycarpa is an East African species whose flowers resemble a flight of white birds. This species is best raised mounted to accommodate the graceful flowers with their long spurs.

Aergs. hyaloides is a small white-flowered species from Madagascar. The pure white flowers are borne on short sprays. Spurs are relatively short so this species can be grown in a pot. Plain green narrowly oval leaves. Take special care with the watering.

Aergs. luteo-alba var. rhodosticta comes from such a wide area that there are bound to be some ecotypes. When the only plants in commerce were wild-collected, they had a bad reputation for being difficult to establish. Today, seed-raised stock presents much less difficulty to the careful grower but one still must provide the warm, humid conditions this orchid prefers. Note also that the orchid grows seasonally, from about March to November. The plant will indicate its willingness to begin growth by developing a new root. This is when fertilizer should be applied to ensure that there is rapid, steady growth of new leaves and roots.

Aergs. macrocentra gray green leaves and Aergs. modesta are two Madagascar species having long sprays of lovely white flowers. These species should be grown in subdued light and under humid, intermediate conditions.

Aergs. Spiculosticta (spiculata x luteo-alba) is one of the few Aerangis hybrids. The colored anther cap trait has been inherited from A. luteo-alba.

AERIDES (Aer.), pronounced 'A-er-ee-deez', is a small but showy genus of monopodial orchids. The generic epithet was first published in 1790 for Aer. odorata, the Type species. The generic name was first applied to a range of orchids including what we now know as Kingidium, Micropera, Neofinetia, Phalaenopsis, Rhynchostylis, Sedirea, Vanda, and even a Cymbidium. Most Aerides species have white and pink/cherry pink flowers with a large prominent floral spur. The lip is showy, usually three-lobed with the mid-lobe folded upwards in some species such as Aer. lawrenciae, covering the entry to the nectar-containing spur. In others such as Aer. crispa, the central lip lobe is broad and spreading The nineteen Aerides species are found from India and Sri Lanka to the Philippines but only a few species including Aer. lawrenciae and Aer. odorata are commonly found in collections. Aer. falcata, odorata and Aer. lawrenciae can be grown into large specimens outdoors in frost-free regions where they can make stunning conversation points in a garden. Aerides is used to make intergeneric hybrids with Vanda and related genera where the characteristic lip shape is highly conserved. These heavily fragrant, spicy-scented orchids are usually grown in baskets and can become quite massive with age.

Aer. falcata - This showy, fragrant southeast Asian species can make a wonderful specimen plant. The flowers may not individually be particularly attractive but when gathered into a arching multi-flowered raceme, the effect is stunning. Flower color caries from white and rose pink to a yellow/pink variety, var. houelletiana.
.
Aer. lawrenciae - Large strap-leaved plants of this Philippine species carry pendent sprays of large cherry pink and white flowers. The large floral spur is immediately recognizable in the species and its hybrid progeny

Aer. quinquevulnera is known from the Philippines and nearby Papua New Guinea. The scented flowers are have varying degrees of fine rose purple spotting on a white ground as well as similarly colored blotches at the tips of all flower segments. The floral spur and lip are greenish white with some rose purple markings. It is the plant form which sets this species apart from its close relative, Aer. odorata. The strap-like leaves are somewhat constricted near the point of attachment to the central axis such that the structure resembles a petiole.

Look for robust seed-raised plants, sib crosses of fine, selected clones.