A RARE orchid more than 40-years-old is taking pride of place at a garden centre in St Albans. Angraecum sesquipedale, more commonly known as Darwin s Orchid, is currently on display at Aylett Nurseries and there are a limited number of young plants avai
A RARE orchid more than 40-years-old is taking pride of place at a garden centre in St Albans.
Angraecum sesquipedale, more commonly known as Darwin's Orchid, is currently on display at Aylett Nurseries and there are a limited number of young plants available to buy.
The orchid, which is on loan from Ivens Orchids Nursery in Sandridge, earned its nickname when Charles Darwin predicted that because it only gave out its spicy scent at night time, the flower must be pollinated by a moth.
Aylett Nurseries employee Julia Banham said that the orchid has been the centre of attention: "Its star-like waxy flowers have stopped many customers in their tracks and because it's the first time we have ever stocked Darwin's Orchid, Aylett's staff have also been admiring the plant."
The Darwin's Orchid recently won Ivens Orchids a Gold Medal at the RHS Orchid Show in London. It is on display in the houseplant area at Aylett's and will remain there until Easter Monday.
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