Diplocaulobium bicolor P.J.Cribb & B.A.Lewis, Lindleyana 6 (1991) 28, fig. 1.
Type:Hunt 3082 (holo K).
An epiphytic herb up to 29 cm tall. Pseudobulbs swollen at the base, up to 15 cm tall, 8 mm wide at the base, 1.5-2 mm wide above, 1-leaved. Leaf erect, oblong, 10-15 cm by 1-2 cm, minutely bilobed at apex. Inflorescence terminal, 1-flowered; spathe lanceolate, 1.8-3.2 cm long. Pedicel and ovary 4.5-5 cm long. Flower 4-5 cm across. Sepals and petals appearing filiform because of inrolled apical margins. Dorsal sepal linear, lanceolate, 2.2-3.5 cm by 1-2 mm, acuminate. Lateral sepals obliquely triangular at base, 2.2-3.5 cm by 6 mm at base, acuminate; mentum obtuse. Petals linear, 2-2.8 cm by 1 mm. Lip 3-lobed, 1-1.4 cm by 8-12 mm, with a basal callus of 2 raised ridges extending to the base of the midlobe; lateral lobes ovate; midlobe oblong, obtuse. Column 4 mm long, foot 8 mm long.
(after Lewis & Cribb, 1991).
Colours: Pseudobulbs yellow-green. Flower with dirty yellow sepals and petals and a wine-red lip with white midlobe. Column with a maroon-red blotch at the base; anther-cap maroon.
Habitat: Epiphyte in montane forest. Altitude 2000 to 2200 m (in the Solomon Islands reported from sea-level up to 600 m).
Flowering time in the wild: January, September.
Distribution: New Guinea, Solomon Islands.
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea (Enga and Morobe Provinces).
Map: BICOLMAP.JPG [Diplocaulobium bicolor P.J.Cribb & B.A.Lewis, distribution map.]
Cultivation: Depending on origin, cool (New Guinea) or warm (Solomon islands) growing epiphyte.