Erasanthe, Cribb & Hermans & Roberts, 2007

Cribb, Phillip J., Hermans, Johan & Roberts, David L., 2007, Erasanthe (Orchidaceae, Epidendroideae, Vandeae, Aerangidinae), a new endemic orchid genus from Madagascar, Adansonia (3) 29 (1), pp. 27-30 : 28

Genus Erasanthe

P.J.Cribb, Hermans & D.L. Roberts , gen. nov.

Madagascariensi endemico affinis Aeranthi Lindl. sed radicibus grossis, foliis oblanceolatis, pedunculo rachidique grossis, floribus majoribus albis viridibusque aliquot per inflorescentia, simultaneis florentibus, labello lacerato ad marginem et calcare gracile elongato satis differt.

TYPE. — Aeranthes henrici Schltr.

DISTRIBUTION. — Endemic to Madagascar.

REMARKS

Erasanthe is established here to accommodate the aberrant Aeranthes henrici which differs from other species of Aeranthes in having stout roots, stout inflorescences with several white flowers borne simultaneously, and flowers with a lacerate lip and elongate slender spur much longer than the lip. The generic name Erasanthe is derived from an anagram of Aeranthes . It is a monotypic genus endemic to Madagascar. The following new combinations are required.