Kouzi keli
Angraecum calceolus
Kouzi keli (Angraecum calceolus) is a rare epiphytic orchid endemic to Madagascar, characterized by its distinctive white, waxy flowers with an elongated spur and thick, leathery leaves. This species plays a crucial ecological role as a specialized pollinator partner with hawkmoths, contributing to the intricate web of Madagascar's unique forest ecosystems.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angraecum_calceolus
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Liliopsida
Order
Asparagales
Family
Orchidaceae
Genus
Angraecum
Kouzi keli belongs to the family Orchidaceae, order Asparagales, within the Liliopsida class.
Species Profile
Kouzi keli (Angraecum calceolus) is a rare epiphytic orchid endemic to Madagascar, characterized by its distinctive white, waxy flowers with an elongated spur and thick, leathery leaves. This species plays a crucial ecological role as a specialized pollinator partner with hawkmoths, contributing to the intricate web of Madagascar's unique forest ecosystems.
Angraecum calceolus faces severe threats primarily from habitat destruction due to deforestation and agricultural expansion in its native Madagascar. The species' extremely limited range and small population size make it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes and human activities. Climate change and collection pressure for the horticultural trade further compound these threats.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
This orchid grows exclusively as an epiphyte on the trunks and branches of large trees in Madagascar's humid montane rainforests, typically at elevations between 800-1,500 meters. It requires the consistent moisture and filtered light conditions found in the forest canopy, often establishing in moss-covered bark crevices where organic matter accumulates.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Angraecum calceolus faces severe threats primarily from habitat destruction due to deforestation and agricultural expansion in its native Madagascar. The species' extremely limited range and small population size make it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes and human activities. Climate change and collection pressure for the horticultural trade further compound these threats.
Agricultural expansion
Extremely small population size
Habitat loss and deforestation
Limited geographic range
Collection for horticultural trade
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Kouzi keli (Angraecum calceolus). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/kouzi-keli