Leopard Orchid (Ansellia africana)
Description
The orchid Ansellia africana is the only species in the genus Ansellia . It is widespread in tropical Africa and grows epiphytically in seasonally dry regions The shoots of Ansellia africana sit close to each other, they are cigar-shaped thickened to pseudobulbs . They reach a length of 10 to 60 (occasionally to 80) centimeters, with a diameter of one to three centimeters. Young they are green and smooth, later they are yellowish with longitudinal wrinkles. They consist of several internodes , of which, however, carry only the uppermost leaves , including paper-like leaves cover the shoot. The branching pattern is sympodial , renewal buds sprout from the base of the rung. At the base spring also from Velamenwrapped roots. In addition to the task of anchoring the plant at its location, laterally upturning roots, which collect falling leaves.The leaves spring from the top four to ten nodes. They are lanceolate, pointed and reach a length of 15 to 50 centimeters. They are folded along several visible leaf veins.The paniculate inflorescence sits laterally at the end of the rung. The numerous resupinated flowers have a yellow base color, on the variable reddish spots are seen. Rarely are also pure yellow or yellowish-green flowering specimens. The petals are similar in shape and size and are not fused together. The single flower has a diameter of about four to six centimeters. The lip is trilobed, the lateral lobes are turned upwards. The middle lobe is slightly wavy at the edge and provided in the middle with two to three keels. The column carries a stamen , this contains four pollinia, which hang in pairs on a gluing disc.
Taxonomic tree
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Domain: Eukarya
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Kingdom: Plantae
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Phylum:
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Class: Liliopsida
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Order: Asparagales
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Family: Orchidaceae
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Genus: Ansellia
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