Angraecum

Both Darwin and his co-discoverer of natural selection, Wallace, called attention to an amazing orchid from Madagascar, Angraecum sesquipedale see colour page 4, and both men made the same remarkable prediction, which was later triumphantly vindicated.

THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH RICHARD DAWKINS 2009

Both Darwin and his co-discoverer of natural selection, Wallace, called attention to an amazing orchid from Madagascar, Angraecum sesquipedale see colour page 4, and both men made the same remarkable prediction, which was later triumphantly vindicated.

THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH RICHARD DAWKINS 2009

A related species, Angraecum longicalcar, has nectar-bearing spurs that are even longer, up to 40 centimetres more than 15 inches.

THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH RICHARD DAWKINS 2009

A related species, Angraecum longicalcar, has nectar-bearing spurs that are even longer, up to 40 centimetres more than 15 inches.

THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH RICHARD DAWKINS 2009

For example, Darwin noted, the flower spur of the Malagasy orchid Angraecum sesquipedale contains a pool of nectar that is almost a foot inside the opening of the flower.

False Fear? - The Panda's Thumb 2006

There is a nice illustration of the predicted Madagascar moth and Angraecum sesquipedale.

Alfred Russel Wallace Letters and Reminiscences Marchant, James 1916

The case of Angraecum was put forward by the Duke of Argyll as being necessarily due to the personal contrivance of the Deity.

Alfred Russel Wallace Letters and Reminiscences Marchant, James 1916

I am glad you had the courage to take up Angraecum

Alfred Russel Wallace Letters and Reminiscences Marchant, James 1916

[62] Angraecum sesquipedale, a Madagascar orchid, with a whip-like nectary, 11 to 12 in. in length, which, according to Darwin

Alfred Russel Wallace Letters and Reminiscences Marchant, James 1916

I forgot to remark how capitally you turn the table on the Duke, when you make him create the Angraecum and moth by special creation.

Alfred Russel Wallace Letters and Reminiscences Marchant, James 1916