Ceratostylis hydrophila Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1912) 252
Type: Schlechter 16940 (holo B, lost; iso AMES, BO 2x, K)
Epiphytic, caespitose, 10-17 cm high. Rhizome very short. Roots filiform, elongated, flexuose, puberulous. Stems slender, terete, 1-leaved, at the base covered with elliptic, apiculate sheaths, 5-10 cm long, about 1.5 mm across. Leaf narrowly ligulate, obtuse, at the base narrowed into a short petiole, glabrous, coriaceous, including the petiole 4.5-9 cm long, near the middle 0.4-0.7 cm wide. Inflorescences several arranged into a terminal capitulum, covered with lanceolate, acuminate scales. Bracts minute, ovate, apiculate, hyaline. Flowers erect-patent. Sepals oblong, narrowly obtuse, puberulous, towards the base, 3.5 mm long. Lateral sepals oblique, at the base along the anterior margin much enlarged and connate; mentum sac-like subglobose, puberulous, about 1.5 mm across. Petals obliquely ligulate-lanceolate, acuminate, glabrous, a little shorter than the sepals. Lip shortly clawed at the base, lamina broadly elliptic, broadly obtuse, in front carnose-thickened, with two thin, ciliolate lamellae, in front slightly diverging, from the base decurrent to above the middle of the lip, margins at the base slightly incurved, almost 0.4 cm long. Column half as long as the lip, arms quadrate; foot short. Anther subquadrate-cucullate, glabrous. Ovary cylindrical, subsessile, about 0.3 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914).
Colours: Flower whitish, lip with golden yellow apex.
Habitat: Epiphyte in hill forest. Altitude 450 m.
Flowering time in the wild: December.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 125-65M.JPG
Cultivation: Warm growing epiphyte, keep in light shade.