Grammangis ellisii is an African botanical species, endemic (grows only) in northern and eastern Madagascar, where it populates humid forest areas from sea level up to altitudes of 1300 m, usually in areas above rivers, having a high thermal tolerance, as it can grow equally well in warm or cold climates. The accepted synonyms for this species are Gabertia ellisii (Lindl.) Gaudich. 1892, Grammangis fallax Schltr. 1915, Grammatophyllum ellisi Lindley 1860.
The plants generally have a medium to tall height, from 50 – 60 cm, with ovoid - tetragonal, massive pseudobulbs, 8 – 10 cm at maturity, covered with a few deciduous, scaly bracts, and bearing 3 to 5 oblong, folded leaves, obliquely rounded at the tip, 15 – 40 cm long and 1.5 – 4 cm wide, fully developed at flowering time. It usually blooms from January until mid-summer, simultaneously with the development of new vegetative growths, on young, partially developed pseudobulbs, on basal emergent, arching stems up to 90 cm long, provided with 3 – 4 broad basal bracts, and another 3 – 4 widely spaced cataphylls. Usually, Grammangis produces between 15 – 40 fragrant, waxy flowers, approximately 7.5 cm in diameter, with a background color of chestnut or green/yellow in the case of the white variant (albino). The flowers form raceme-type inflorescences. The median sepal is obovate, 4 cm long and 2 cm wide, wider in the central area. The lateral petals have the same length but are slightly narrower compared to the central sepal, apically acuminate, sickle-shaped, and provided with 17 veins. The falcate labellum is trilobed, with subacute lateral lobes and the median lobe slightly longer and narrower, basally provided with a massive callus, bifurcated apically. The column measures 10 mm in length, having obtuse triangular auricles.
Grammangis ellisii occupies epiphytic habitats, populating the moist eastern and northern forests along rivers in Madagascar and on Sainte Marie island, where it was historically mentioned, but was not found during a census in 1981.
It prefers medium light conditions, around 20000 lux, but can tolerate higher values up to 30000 lux. Growth temperatures will be moderate to warm, with the plants being more suitable for warm growing spaces. In cold climate conditions, the flowers will take on a greenish tint, being less intensely colored.
Intense ventilation is an absolutely necessary condition for the successful growth of this species, to avoid leaf burn under strong lighting conditions.
The ideal growing medium consists of medium diameter conifer bark, with the plants being able to be cultivated without problems in standard pots, similar to species of the genus Lycaste.
Grammangis ellisii will be watered abundantly during the active growth period, starting in spring, and it is recommended to fertilize at every watering, on a weekly basis, provided that a rest/semi-rest period is offered from autumn until early spring, when both watering and fertilizing will be stopped or significantly reduced.
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