I have seen this species in the wild , although not in flower - I relied on the Ranger in a big cat game park in South Africa, up near the Mozambique border, for the identification. It was growing epiphytically in the forks of big trees, which I think were called honey locust ( looked very much like Robinia pseudoacacia , which I have grown as a garden ornamental tree in England , and which incidentally is called the black locust - perhaps a close relative)which were growing in "Sand Forest" - also home to giant clouds of butterflies - hundreds of thousands in each swarm, which feed on the nectar from the tree flowers.I was fortunate enough to see them too on that visit. So when I saw this species on offer, some dozen years ago, I bought it. It has flowered several times for me , usually producing spikes in each of several leaf axils, which don't always develop - only one spike did so this year. My culture must be a bit deficient somewhere , but the plant can certainly do with some fresh compost, which may give it a new lease of life.
Very curious lip - hardly different from the two petals - quite unusual that. It is located, taxonomically in the Vandeae , but in sub-tribe Angraeca rather than amongst the true Vandas - as you may guess from that massive (presumably) nectary spur.
A delicate and slightly exotic scent - I won't say it makes me think of "harems in far Araby" or you'll get the wrong idea of how I spend my spare time - but rosy-cheeked milk-maid its not ...






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