Aerangis kirkii Schltr.

Stem woody, 1–5 cm. long, 3–5 mm. in diameter, covered in closely overlapping leaf-bases, with numerous flexuous greyish white roots 1–2 mm. in diameter arising from the lower half.. Leaves 2–7, very close together, oblanceolate or linear-lanceolate, up to 15 cm. long, often much shorter, and up to 3 cm. across at the widest part, the apex much dilated, and bilobed, the lobes rounded or acute, unequal, 4–12 mm. long, dark greyish green and leathery or dark green and slightly fleshy.. Inflorescences 1–several, arising below the leaves, bearing 2–6 flowers, usually horizontal or pendulous, up to 17 cm. long; peduncle terete, up to 6 cm. long, 1–3 mm. in diameter, bearing 1–3 tight sheaths; rhachis straight, slightly wider below each bract, greyish pink; bracts broadly triangular, acute, 4–8 mm. long.. Flowers spreading, 1.5–3 cm. apart, closer together towards the tip of the inflorescence, the apical one opening first and somewhat larger than the lower ones, white, with pink tinges in the spur; pedicel with ovary 18–25 mm. long.. Dorsal sepal erect, ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, 18–25 mm. long, 5–7 mm. wide; lateral sepals longer and narrower, spreading, lanceolate, acuminate, 22–28 mm. long, 4–6 mm. wide.. Petals usually spreading, sometimes slightly reflexed, oblanceolate, acuminate, 16–20 mm. long, 5–6 mm. wide.. Lip oblong, then acuminate or apiculate, 16–20 mm. long, 7–8 mm. wide.. Spur pendulous, often curving forwards, slightly inflated in the lower half, narrowing again towards the tip, 6–7.5 cm. long.. Column 4 mm. long, lower surface sloping and dilated; anther-cap shortly beaked; rostellum straight, almost reaching across the mouth of the spur; pollinia globose; stipes rather broad; viscidium ovate with the margins curving over the rostellum.. Capsule 4–8 cm. long, up to 5 mm. in diameter.. Pl. 6.