Calanthe triplicata (Willemet) Ames, Philipp. J. Sci., C, 2 (1907) 326
Basionym: Orchis triplicata
A terrestrial plant up to 1.3 m tall. Stems pseudobulbous, hidden by the leaf bases. Leaves plicate, distichous, lanceolate, up to 75 by 16 cm; petiole up to 27 cm long. Inflorescence lateral, arising from the base of the pseudobulb, pyramidal to cylindrical, up to 1.3 m long, many-flowered. Floral bracts persistent, lanceolate, 1.5 by 0.5 cm. Flowers rarely cleistogamous, the sepals and petals finely pubescent on outer surfaces. Median sepal ovate, 0.8-1.4 by 0.5-0.6 cm. Lateral sepals ovate, acuminate, 0.95-1.4 by 0.5-0.6 cm. Petals ovate-elliptic, 0.85-1.4 by 0.4-0.55 cm. Lip 3-lobed, appearing 4-lobed because of the bifid mid-lobe, 1-2 by 1.3-2.3 cm, the lobes subequal, oblong, rounded, the basal callus consisting of 3-5 tapering verrucose ridges; spur decurved, cylindrical, 1.5-4 by 0.1-0.3 cm. Column 0.4-0.6 cm long. (After Lewis and Cribb, 1991).
Colours: Leaves dark green, sometimes with a paler venation. Flowers white with a yellow or red basal callus on the lip.
Habitat: Terrestrial in lowland and montane forest. Altitude 0-1500 m.
Flowering time in the wild: January, March, April, May, June, July, September, October, December.
Distribution: Malesia (Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Sulawesi, Lesser Sunda Islands, Moluccas, New Guinea, The Philippines), Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Madagascar, Mascarenes, trop. Asia, China, Japan, Australia, Pacific.
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Indonesia); Papua New Guinea. See map: 101-349M.JPG.
Cultivation: Warm to intermediate growing terrestrial, keep in shade.