3 Days of Orchid Hunting in Reunion

December 6, 7 and 8 in Réunion

December 6 was primarily a day of excellent lectures at the IOCC conference.  In the afternoon, however, a small group rented a car to explore an area called “Le Colorado.”  We ending up finding only one orchid in bloom, this little Cynorkis purpurascens.  

Cynorkis purpurascens

Quite by accident, however, we discovered an incredible view that made the trip entirely worthwhile.  (As the top of my head is in the photo, I obviously didn't take it.  This photo was taken by Susanne Masters.) 

La fenetre

December 7^th and 8^th were devoted to orchid hunting.  The conference organizers had arranged for the group visit several different habitats ranging from Cirque de Cilaos (elevation 1214 meters / 3980 feet) to the forêt de mare longue right at sea level.  With local orchidists and teachers/students from the University in Saint Denis, we had experts leading the way. 

Cirque de Cilaos is a volcanic caldera and is quite literally a bowl shaped area surrounded by peaks.  “Cilaos” means “place you never leave,” and it is quite beautiful.  (Sadly, the history of the name originates from escaped slaves looking for refuge.)  Because of the high elevation, it was noticeably cooler in the cirque than it had been in the lower elevation forests.   And accordingly, the vegetation was different as well.  

View from Roche merveilleuse

There are beautiful forests skirting the cirque itself and we found a number of angraecoid and other orchid species. Although not particularly showy, we found clumps of Angraecum tenuifolium in full bloom in two different locations.  Both locations were in shadier spots and very near water of some kind.  And interestingly, the plants seemed to grow off the side of horizontal (more or less) limbs. 

Plant is visible in the center of the photo.

Angraecum tenuifolium

Another angraecoid, Jumellea rossii, was found growing both on trees and large boulders.  In both cases, mosses and leaf debris surrounded the roots.   

Jumellea rossii

My favorite find of the day, however, was Angraecum expansum.  One particular plant was growing such that the flower appeared to hang in mid-air.  The area where these species were found were very warm and very humid.  

Angraecum expansum

The last day in Reunion was spent in a sea-level forest.  It was very hot and humid with very little air movement.  Along side of the entrance road, an eagle-eyed member of the group noticed Angraecum cucullatum growing on the trees.  Once we started looking, they seemed to be everywhere, but to photograph some you had to be willing to do a little off-trail walking in the large ferns.  

Angraecum cucullatum and Bulbo. occultum

Angcm. cucullatum

Angcm. cucullatum

Photographing Angcm cucullatum

Bulbophyllum varigatum was also growing in the same forest.  (Unfortunately, the flowers faced over a small ravine and I wasn't willing to risk life and limb to photograph them face-on.) 

Bulbo. varigatum

In this particular forest, there were a number of trees that were completely covered with different species and genera of orchids.  Interestingly, a neighboring tree might not have any.  

Possibly Angraecum pectinatum covering a tree trunk with other orchid species.

Tree with multiple bulbophyllum and angraecoid orchids

 A few of the more adventurous of the group hiked up an old lava field to observe what plants had re-established themselves since the 2004 eruption.  Interestingly, one of the first species was an orchid Arundina graminifolia.  There were multiple plants of this species in bloom in various locations on the lava field.  

Réunion is a gem—both in itself and as an orchid-hunters paradise.  There were so many different climates and micro-climates contained in this small island.  Réunion is definitely on my “must revisit” list. 

Next up, Madagascar here we come . . . .

Orchid Hunting in a Porsche: December 5, Isle de la Réunion

On Thursday, a small group took an unofficial orchid-hunting field trip.   We were the guests of local orchid aficionados, Michel Szelengowicz and Jean Maurice Tamon.  There were only seven people, so we travelled in our hosts’ personal vehicles.  By luck of the draw, I ended up as the passenger in Michel’s Porsche.  How unlikely to go orchid-hunting in a convertible with the top down.  Let’s just say that we traveled quite a bit faster than the bus had the day before. 

Although we were near La Plaine des Palmistes and just a few kilometers from the previous day, this habitat was entirely different.  Rather than mossy, mountain forest, this area contained lots of Pandanus montanus trees.  I would have described it as arid, except that the ground was a bit swampy.  There were a remarkable number of angraecoids—and surprisingly a large number in bloom. All of the species we saw are rare in cultivation (at least in the U.S.) so I had never seen any of these species in bloom.  How wonderful to first “discover” them in situ. 

Angraecum expansum could be found on the roots of numerous pandanus trees.  It was growing in full sun, not more than a foot from the ground.    

Angraecum borbonicum was growing very low on an Erica or Philippia bush.  Again, multiple plants were growing in full sun, fairly close to the ground. Surprisingly, this species was fragrant during the day.  This species is endemic to Réunion and is thought to be self-pollinating. 

Although not in bloom, there were also several other angraecoid species in the area.  This photo captures several different angraecoid species growing on the same trunk. 

In a particularly boggy area, we were lucky enough to find a Jumellea stenophylla in bloom.  It was growing in the shade, about head height on a tree.  Although only a few steps away, this micro-habitat was much more humid.  There was standing water about ankle deep.  There were several other angraecoid species with seed pods, but no others in bloom. 

And then in a private garden, we observed several additional species.  (And while these don’t count as “in situ sitings,” it was exciting to see a new Angraecum species nonetheless.)   In particular, seeing Angraecum striatum was a real treat.  This species is endemic to Reunion.   And the flowers have a lovely green flush in the center. 

There are two more days worth of photographs from Réunion forthcoming.  

Crowd-Sourcing Angraecoid Conservation

The true purpose of the trip to Réunion and Madagascar was the International Orchid Conservation Congress’ meeting.  http://iocc5.univ-reunion.fr/  Held in beautiful Saint-Denis, Réunion, the conference theme was “Making the Links.”  The goal was to bring together multiple areas of expertise and find ways to further the conservation of orchids worldwide. 

I was honored to give a presentation on behalf of and about The Angraecoid Alliance during the conference.  The abstract of this presentation follows:

Abstract:  Crowd-sourcing Angraecoid Conservation

“Many angraecoid orchids naturally occur in limited areas of Madagascar and tropical Africa. Unfortunately, these habitats have suffered extensive destruction and fragmentation. To date, conservation efforts have been unable to substantially diminish the destruction of angraecoid-rich habitats. The future of these habitats is grim. Both in-situ and ex-situ conservation are necessary for species survival.

Seeking to increase the number of angraecoid species in ex-situ conservation, plants already in cultivation are being used to propagate genetically diverse populations for ex-situ conservation. A large number of angraecoid species—some exceedingly rare—are cultivated in private collections around the world by botanical gardens and hobbyists with a passion for angraecoid orchids. The Angraecoid Alliance has recruited (and continues to seek out) individuals and organizations interested in angraecoids and ex-situ species conservation. Members of The Angraecoid Alliance donate pollen, seed and/or flasking services. As of July 2013, members of The Angraecoid Alliance have pollinated (or attempted pollination) on multiple species: Aerangis umbonata (syn fuscata); Angraecum conchoglossum; Angraecum curnowianum; Angraecum dollii; Angraecum pinifolium; Angraecum rhynchoglossum and Cryptopus elatus. Seed of several additional species has been donated to The Alliance's efforts: Aeranthes peyrotii; Angraecum birrimense; and Cryptopus paniculatum. The Angraecoid Alliance's objective is to harness previously unused resources and methods to effectuate both ex-situ and in-situ conservation of angraecoid species.”

Many more photographs of orchids and orchid-hunting in Réunion and Madagascar are still to come. 

Day 1: Isle de la Réunion

This post is long overdue.  But the excuse is fantastic!  I spent three weeks in Madagascar and the Isle de la Réunion.  Most of that time was spent orchid hunting—with my camera of course.  After spending more than 24 hours en route, I arrived in Isle de la Réunion for the International Orchid Conservation Congress’ 5^th meeting.  The lectures, presentations and meeting merit their own blog post—which is forthcoming.  But of course, a gathering of orchid-lovers wouldn’t be complete without some orchid field trips.  This post will cover just the first day of orchid hunting in Réunion.  So stay tuned for more. 

First field trip:  Sentier de la Riviére and Sentier des Mares et Bois de Couleurs

The forest itself was absolutely incredible.  Everywhere you looked there was another, beautiful, tropical vista.  It was stunning.  There were several angraecoid orchids in bloom and numerous others that had pods, spent flowers or were just growing happily. 

Beclardia macrostachya seemed to be on every horizontal branch and tree trunk.  They were not in bloom, but it was very interesting to see this unusual species in situ. 

Jumellea triquetra seemed to be in bud everywhere, but it wasn’t until the end of the day that we found one in bloom.  This species is endemic to Réunion and quite lovely. The flowers’ presentation reminds me a little of snowbells.  I didn’t notice a fragrance during the daytime, but most of the books note that this species has a delightful fragrance.

 

Angraecum cordemoyi has small greenish-white flowers.  It seemed to be in bloom around every bend.

Angraecum costatum was hiding in plain sight—on top of a low lying tree trunk.  To photograph it, I had to climb up on a neighboring tree and crawl my way over on the trunk.  This is a species I haven’t ever seen before, even in photographs.  So to see it in situ, in bloom was a treat. 

Angraecum obversifolium was also in bloom.  This is another fairly small-flowered species.  Each flower is about 1 cm and is an almost translucent green. 

And finally, although not an angraecoid, Calanthe sylvatica was also in bloom.  That color is just spectacular. 

And this was just on the first day!  I will keep sorting through the 2000+ photographs from this trip and update this blog with more in situ orchid photos.  

True 122 years later

Today a fascinating excerpt from a book published in 1891 arrived on my doorstep and included a description of Plectrilmenthus caudatus.  (A PDF scan of the original is attached, and for convenience it is transcribed below.)  What amazes me is that 122 years later, much of what was written is still true.  In my opinion, angraecoids are some of the most remarkable and attractive orchids.  And even the author's observation that Plectrelminthus caudatus are not widely grown because not many are available and they can be somewhat challenging to cultivate is also still true.  This old book also included a lovely lithographed drawing of Plectrelminthus caudatus.  And I wouldn't be surprised if this lovely lithograph set gardeners hunting for one of these plants--just as photographs do today.  

Angraecum caudatum
Drawn for The Garden by H. G. Moon.
Lithographed and printed by Guillaume Severyns
May 9, 1891

Excerpt from: "The Garden:  An Illustrated Weekly Journal of Horticulture in all its Branches," May 9, 1891, London. Page 436. 

Garden Flora.

Plate 804.

Angraecums.

(with coloured plate of A. caudatum.)

There is no genus of tropical orchids whose flowers are at once so beautiful and so remarkable in structure as are those of the cultivated Angraecums.  So much might safely have been said of them ten years ago, but during the past few years many new and valuable species have been added to our collections, and the genus is now undoubtedly one of the most attractive in the tropical section of the family.  With the exception of a single species—A. falcatum, which is confined to Japan—Angraecums are exclusively African.[i]  They are found in considerable abundance on both the eastern and western sides of the continent, but the finest representatives are natives of Madagascar and the neighboring islands.  With regard to A. falcatum, it is remarkable that a species should be found so widely removed from its fellows, and under conditions so different from those under which they exist; it is a problem in geographical botany whose solution would be interesting.  None of the flowers of the Angraecums as yet introduced to this country are characterized by bright color; they are usually of some shade of white, sometimes as pure as snow, but frequently with an ivory-like or creamy tinge.  In several species the sepals, petals and spur are pale green.  The one character in the flower which distinguishes the genus so markedly and renders some of the species so interesting is the extraordinary development of the spur.  In A. sesquipedale, caudatum and ellisi this organ varies from 6 inches to 15 inches in length, dimensions which are not approached in any but closely allied genera like Aeranthus [sic].[ii]  In habit these plants may be compared to Vandas, being purely epiphytical, and having, as in that genus, the leaves arranged in two opposite rows on the stem, being devoid of pseudo-bulbs, and the leaves being leathery or sub-fleshy in texture.  Each genus contains also one or more species with cylindrical foliage.  The number of species known, either in a dried state or in cultivation is very large.  A considerable proportion of them, however, are of no value except as curiosities; others, except in size and character of foliage, are very much alike so that the species described below may be said to fairly represent the genus so far as applies to that portion with which orchid growers in general are concerned. 

A. caudatum.—Although this species was discovered and introduced to European gardens about 1832, it has always been, as it is today, a rare plant.  This is partly owing to the comparatively small number that have been imported but more to the difficulty which has always been experienced in keeping it in a healthy condition.  There are probably many growers and possessors of orchids who have not seen it.

---

[i] Angraecum falcatum is now classified as Neofinetia falcata and is not considered to be either an Angraecum or an angraecoid.   Furthermore, there are also angraecoid orchids in North and South America such as those from the genus Dendrophylax.

[ii] A. caudatum is now classified as Plectrelminthus caudatus, and Angraecum ellisii is now classified as Aerangis ellisii.  

Elections in Madagascar

Madagascar has been in the international news lately because at long last democratic elections have been held.  It is too soon to tell what the outcome will be.  The votes are still being counted so a winner is not even known.  And it is far to soon to know what actions the elected president will take as it relates to poverty alleviation, conservation and the masses of other critical issues.

At present 92% of the population lives in poverty--meaning they live on less than $2 per day.  Since the 2009 coup, international aid has been suspended.   With the votes not yet counted, many questions remain about the country's future.  But, there is reason for hope.

Photograph from BBC Story on the Madagascar elections http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-24661607.

3rd Quarter Newsletter Now Available

It has been a busy couple of months, but the 3rd Quarter Issue of the Angraecoid Alliance's newsletter is now available at

www.angraecoids.org/http://www.angraecoids.org/uploads/Summer_2013.pdf


Incidentally, we are in the process of changing our newsletter format to reflect the international nature of the Alliance.  Issues will now be identified as 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Quarter, rather than by seasons.  It has been a great year for the Alliance with many more things on the horizon.