Aerangis luteo-alba var rhodosticta
Aerangis luteo-alba var. rhodosticta is small growing (the plant here is 10cm across) but has large dramatic flowers that a gorgeously presented on arching sprays.
This species is native to tropical Africa from Cameroon across to Kenya and Tanzania. It is pollinated by moths and so is fragrant at night as well creamy white to show up in the forest at night. The red column helps the moth to locate the entrance to the spur full of nectar (look just below the red column).
This is a lovely orchid to grow – it likes a warm and shady environment and we grow the species in our indoor Ikea cabinets with a minimum of 17C. It comes from riverine forest (the humid forest found along rivers) from 1200m altitude to 2200m altitude and so it would also grow happily a little cooler. Like Aerangis and related species we have seen in coastal forest near Durban (South Africa) this species is found on twigs and small branches with roots running long distances to collect available moisture.
The multi spike specimen here is only a few years out of flask and if you look closely you will see it already has a seed pod forming so keep an eye out for seedlings in the future.