Wikimedia Commons
Orchidaceae
Darwin's Comet Orchid
Angraecum sesquipedale
Adaptation and mystery.
- Family
- Orchidaceae
- Genus
- Angraecum
- Native to
- Madagascar
- Bloom season
- Winter
- Type
- epiphytic orchid
- Height
- 2-4 ft
- Sunlight
- bright indirect light
- Soil
- well-draining orchid bark mix
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- 11-12
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- Darwin predicted the existence of its pollinator — a moth with a 12-inch tongue — based solely on the flower's 30 cm nectar spur, 41 years before it was discovered.
- The specific epithet 'sesquipedale' means 'one and a half feet' in Latin, referring to the extraordinary length of its nectar spur.
- White petals and sepals are positioned like a star, earning it the nickname 'Star of Bethlehem Orchid.'
- The predicted pollinator, Xanthopan morganii praedicta, was named 'praedicta' in honor of Darwin's prophecy.
- It produces its strongest fragrance at night to attract the hawk moths that pollinate it.
Color meanings
0
perseverance
1
enigma
2
natural wonder