Ansellia Lindl. 1844, is a monotypic genus from the orchid family (Orchidaceae), subfamily (higher) Epidendroideae, tribe Cymbidieae, subtribe Cyrtopodiinae, alliance Cymbidium.

It was named after John Ansell, an English assistant botanist. who found the first specimens in 1841 on the Fernando Po Island in West Africa.

The only species Ansellia africana , common names: African Ansellia or Leopard Orchid, is native to tropical and South Africa, found alongside coasts and rivers in the canopy of trees, usually at elevations lower than 700 m (occasionally up to 2,200 m).

This is a a large, perennial epiphyte, or at times a terrestrial plant, growing in sometimes spectacular clumps, attached to the branches of tall trees. The white, needle-like, aerial roots are characteristic for this orchid. They point upwards, taking the form of a trash basket around the tall, many-noded, fusiform, canelike, yellow pseudobulbs, catching the decaying leaves and detritus upon which the plant feeds. These pseudobulbs can develop a gigantic size, up to 60 cm long. This robust orchid can grow very large, sometimes with an estimated weight over a tonne. Even eagle owls (Bubo bubo) have been seen to make their nest in such a clump.

These pseudobulbs carry on their top 6 to 7, narrowly ligulate_lanceolate, acute, plicate, leathery leaves. They give rise to a paniculate inflorescence, up to 85 cm long, with many (10 to 100) , delicately scented flowers, 6 cm across.

The three-lobed lip grows into three yellow projections. The tepals are yellow or greenish yellow, lightly or heavily marked with brown spots.

Species

• Ansellia africana : : African Ansellia, Leopard Orchid
  • Ansellia africana subsp. africana (Trop. & S. Africa).
  • Ansellia africana subsp. australis (Angola).