African Orchid Species
Orchids are native to every continent except Antarctica. But some of the most interesting species hail from Africa. The blooms are colorful and the plants may grow to unusually large size.
The Acampe pachyglossa has fleshy leaves and thick, yellow flowers with red spots. These delightful flowers bloom from August to December so you'll have lots of color through the late Summer, Fall and up to Winter. Though they often appear in India, they are known in Africa as well.
They grow at low latitudes so they make a great addition to your home garden. Just keep them warm and surrounded by humidity. They like sunshine so you can balance those shade-loving orchid species with one of these.
The Angraecum distichum is another excellent choice. They thrive in tropical Africa so they'll enjoy warmth and humid conditions. They are a dwarf epiphyte (a type of orchid that clings to trees) and provide tiny white flowers. Other varieties, such as the Angraecum magdalenae are natives of Madagascar and enjoy light shade. They'll do well in a long cool, dry season and require very little care.
Just give them plenty of light and air movement. Many orchids do better when the air is not stagnant. An intermediate temperature range will keep them healthy and produce lots of beautiful long, green spurs.
The Chamaengis is another epiphyte native of tropical Africa. Their wonderful orange flowers make for a pleasant display among whites and pinks. They'll thrive in a suspended pot that allows their vines to droop down and display the flowers.
The Diaphananthe xanthopollinia is a native of Central and Southern Africa. It produces green or green-yellow flowers and prefers moderate shade. Grown in a potting medium such as bark chips with good drainage it will reward the grower with richly fragrant blooms.
The Microcoelia exilis is found in Southern Africa. Unusual in that there are no leaves, it produces a profusion of silver-gray roots and white flowers. Unlike leafy plants, they photosynthesize through the roots so exposing them is normal practice.
Eastern Africa is home to the Mystacidium genus. They like very high humidity and strong light. When properly cared for they'll give back lots of fragrant white flowers in Autumn. They're smaller than many other orchid plants, so they'll fill that empty nook in the corner perfectly.
Another native of East Africa is the Neobenthamia. They grow naturally on dry rock faces or near a cliff edge. As such, they like warm and humid conditions and enjoy sunshine. One type, the Neobenthamia gracilis hails from Tanzania where they produce long, thin leaves and clusters of pale purple flowers.
They're similar to the Polystachya genus that comprises over 120 species. These are small and thrive in bunches packed closely together. They enjoy humidity and will grow well in a pot with bark chips. Some will produce a dark red labellum, others display subtle pink flowers.
Whichever color you like, whatever your growing conditions, you'll find an African orchid that will suit your needs and taste.
