Ceratostylis lancipetala Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1912) 246
Type: Schlechter 19528 (holo B, lost; iso K)
Epiphytic, erect, caespitose, 20-30 cm high. Rhizome very short. Roots filiform, elongated, flexuose, puberulous. Stems slender, terete, at the base covered with several large, lanceolate, acuminate, finely reticulate-nervose sheaths, 10-22 cm long, 1.75-2 mm thick, 1-leaved. Leaves erect, subulate, adaxially sulcate, acute, glabrous, as wide as the stems, 3-4 cm long. Inflorescences several, arranged into a capitulum, covered with apiculate sheaths. Flowers erect-patent. Sepals oblong-ligulate, narrowly obtuse, outside at the base puberulous, 0.5 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique, at the base along the anterior margin conspicuously extended and connate; mentum sac-like, oblong, obtuse, 1.75 mm long. Petals lanceolate, acuminate, somewhat oblique, glabrous, a little shorter than the sepals. Lip 0.6 cm long, below the apex 2.5 mm wide, above the middle 0.3 cm wide, at the base narrowly cuneate-ligulate, in basal half with minutely ciliolate margins, above the base with two parallel, ciliolate lamellae that do not extend to the basal fourth, in apical third abruptly somewhat constricted and widened into the carnose-thickened, subglobose tip. Column about half as long as the lip, glabrous, arms oblong-quadrate; foot relatively very short, apex incurved. Anther quadrate-cucullate, glabrous, apiculate. Ovary subsessile, cylindrical, puberulous, about 0.4 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914).
Colours: Flower dirty reddish, the lip at the apex golden yellow.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest. Altitude 1000 m.
Flowering time in the wild: May.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 125-74M.JPG
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte, keep in light shade.