Botanical illustration of Aerides falcata from Xenia Orchidacea.
Species Description
Aerides falcata is a “…fine free-growing plant, with dark green leaves, ten inches long. The flowers are numerous, on a single spike, of a cream and light rose colour. It blooms in June, and lasts two weeks in perfection. This is a distinct plant, and was first flowered by Mr. Eyles, then gardener to Lady Larpent, and shown at the Regent’s Park Exhibition in 1847, when it received the first prize as a new plant. Native of the East Indies.” (Source: Classic Orchid Grower’s Manual.)
B.S. Williams wrote about this species also as a synonym named Aerides mendelii. “The plant has a stem about the thickness of that of Aerides virens; the leaves, which are about seven and a half inches long, and one and a half in breadth, are smooth, shining, and of a light green colour, and have the habit of clasping the stem at the base, like those of Aerides quinquevulnerum. The flowers are produced upon drooping spikes, and resemble those of Aerides larpentae in size and shape, but are entirely distinct in colour, being pure white tipped with rose. There was a magnificent specimen exhibited by Sir Trevor Lawrence, having three stems and a great number of spikes of its distinct blossoms. I had no idea there was such a fine specimen in this country. Native of the East Indies.” (Source: Classic Orchid Grower’s Manual.)
Photo close-up of flowers of Aerides falcatum.
Synonyms
- Aerides larpentae
- Aerides mendelii
Publications
- H. G. Reichenbach: “Xenia orchidacea” vol. 1 pl. 92 (1858)
- Classic Orchid Grower’s Manual