Ancistrochilus rothschildianus O'Brien

These plants are found exclusively in tropical regions of West Africa from the coasts of Guinea, Sierra Leone, and spread eastwards toward the inland rainforests of Uganda and Tanzania (la Croix 2008). They are found growing epiphytically on bare trunks and on large branches in the shade of forest trees. Typically they are found near sea level conditions at elevations ranging from around 500-1100m (Neptune 2016). Its restrained geographical location is common in epiphytic plants, which are found almost exclusively in tropical forests that feature heavy rain seasons with only a brief dry season, humid environment, and thick tall canopies that provide appropriate shade and height for these aerial plants (Johansson 1974). Its narrow lowland forest habitat is being threatened to be cleared for agriculture and new development in the region (Simo et al. 2009). This plant thrives in this slim area due to appropriate heavy precipitation, warm climate conditions, and a symbiotic relationship with the pollinators of that ecosystem that allow it to reproduce efficiently from high up within the canopy (Simo et al. 2009).

Ancistrochilus rothschildianus can be found in Africa, largely in the dryer areas of Guinea and Sierra Leone, in the elevations of around 500 to 1100 meters across Uganda (Phal 2016). It is part of the Orchidaceae family and part of the genus Ancistrochilus. This species is a deciduous plant that sheds its leaves once every year. It is an epiphyte that can mainly be found growing in trees or other high places (Phal 2016).The cone shaped pseudobulb, an enlargement of the stem that can be found on many of the orchid breeds with one to two leaves that fall off as the pseudobulbs mature (Baker 1997). Ancistrochilus rothschildianus usually produce two to five flowers per inflorescence that are two to three inches long. There are five petals and sepals on each flower that can be a soft pearl, rose pink, or lilac colored towards the core of the plant while softening along the ends of each spear shaped corolla. Each flower has a dark purple center and green colored lip that comes from the bottom of the flower that forms a semi-bowl that rolls out creating a curled tongue like effect (Baker 1997).Ancistrochilus rothschildianus lacks a permanent woody structure. It usually grows on a supporting structure such as tree bark and thick branches. Ancistrochilus rothschildianus makes aerial roots that first start off with a fresh green color before changing to a silver-grey, white, or brown due to the development of a hard outer shell made of dead cells (Baker 1997). They can be from a few inches to a few feet long as it takes a hold of the bark.

Ancistrochilus rothschildianus mainly grows in elevations close to sea level, due to its coastal habitat (Baker 2016). This orchid thrives in the humid West African rainforest with heavy rainfall during spring, summer, and fall with a small dry period during winter (Baker 2016). This environment provides an average humidity level of around 85-90% during the wet season (Baker 2016). It also holds an average temperature between 74 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day with an average between 62 and 64 degrees Fahrenheit atd night (Baker 2016). Ancistrochilus rothschildianus is an epiphyte which means it grows on another plant--usually a tree--without causing harm to the host plant (Petruzzello 2016). The plant gets its nutrients from runoff down the tree and from the soil below (Johansson 1974). Epiphytes are sometimes referred to as “air plants” because they only receive support from the host plant, not nutrients (Petruzzello 2016). Ancistrochilus rothschildianus reproduces by way of small diaspores (seeds) that can easily be transported by wind or rain (Johansson 1974). However, ants also play a large role in the dispersal process (Johansson 1974). For some Orchids, Ants may pick up seeds and carry them to their nest for small oil drops on the outside of the seed that they consume for energy (Johansson 1974). This process does not harm the seed, however, since the oil is on the outside (Johansson 1974). Bats and birds may also play a part in the dispersal of epiphytic orchids by eating products from the tree that hold diaspores and then dispersing them to a new location (Johansson 1974). Spanish moss may also play a role in dispersal of A. rothschildianus when birds take moss containing diaspores to different locations to make it into a nest (Johansson 1974).

Ancistrochilus rothschildianus is a small species of semi-terrestrial, orchid endemic to the African tropics. A. rothschildianus is cultivated for its "pretty pink flowers." This species and Ancistrochilus thomsonianus are the only recognized species in genus Ancistrochilus.