OrchidAngraecum cucullatum

Category
  • Forests
Tags
  • Mountain slopes and forests
  • Flora
  • Endemic

Description

The adult plant of A. cucullatum has a stalk of about 5 cm, with five to six leaves that form as a 6 cm ribbon. The solitary, pedunculate flowers are rather large for the size of the plant. Fully open, the cap-like labellum is oval and pointed.

Habitat and ecology

This epiphytic orchid is endemic to the Mascarenes. It is found in intermediate forests and higher altitudes, where it grows on the moss of tree trunks, in windy and exposed places.

 

Conservation and threats

The species is classified as ‘Critically Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List. Its population is very small due to habitat loss, orchid collectors and invasion of exotic plants.

Did you know?

Cuculatus is the diminutive Latin of cuculus which means "hood" or “cap” in reference to the labellum.

In Mauritius, a specimen was collected in 1822 by Petit-Thouars