Ceratostylis maboroensis Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1912) 256
Type: Schlechter 19525 (holo B, lost; iso AMES, BO, K, L)
Epiphytic, pendulous, up to 30 cm long, more or less branching. Rhizome elongated, flexuose, densely covered with lanceolate or elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate sheaths, terete, glabrous, about 0.2 cm across. Roots filiform elongated, flexuose, densely puberulous. Pseudobulbs 1-1.5 cm apart, about 1 cm high, 0.2 cm across, cylindrical, 1-leaved, at the base covered with lanceolate, acuminate sheaths. Leaves linear, acute or subacute, at the base gradually petiolate-narrowed, glabrous, carnose, 6-8 cm long, near the middle 3.5-5 mm wide. Inflorescences few in lateral fascicles arising below the apex of the pseudobulbs, covered with lanceolate, acute scales. Peduncle short, puberulous. Bract minute, ovate, apiculate, hyaline. Median sepal ovate, obtuse, outside puberulous, 0.4 cm long. Lateral sepals obliquely triangular, narrowly obtuse, puberulous, as long as the median sepal, anterior margin dilated at the base; mentum obtuse, short. Petals obliquely linear, narrowly obtuse, somewhat dilated towards the base, glabrous, slightly shorter than the sepals. Lip 4.5 mm long, oblong-ligulate, below the middle with incurved margins, slightly constricted, in the middle somewhat dilated, above the middle upwards slightly narrowed, produced into the oblong, obtuse carnose-thickened apical part, puberulous except for the very tip, in the middle inside provided with two semilunate, fleshy callosities which are puberulous at the base. Column very short, arms very short, incurved, apiculate; foot elongated, inside at the base puberulous. Anther broadly cordate, apex notched. Ovary cylindrical, shortly villose, sessile, 2.5 mm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914).
Colours: Flower pure white.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest. Altitude 1300 m.
Flowering time in the wild: May.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 125-89M.JPG
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte, keep in light shade.
Note: Should be compared with Ceratostylis bulbophylli Schltr., the only other member of sect. Pleuranthemum in New Guinea.