Darwin’s orchid  (Angraecum sesquipedale)

Description

Darwin’s orchid is not only spectacular in appearance but also the subject of probably the most famous story on pollination in orchids (3) (4) (5) (6). Large and robust, it produces one to three star-shaped flowers on each inflorescence, which turn from green to creamy white within a few days of opening in the winter (2) (7). Particularly fascinating is the impressive, almost implausible length of the flowers’ nectar spurs, measuring up to 35 centimetres long (2) (3) (7). The upright, or curving, stem typically grows singularly, and is often bare near the base, but gives rise to a fan of leathery, greyish-green, strapped-shaped leaves higher up. The roots are extensive and usually appear flattened on the surface of the substrate (2) (7).

Darwin Now is the British Council's contribution to the international celebration of the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth and the 150 year anniversary of the publication of On The Origin of Species
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