Ceratostylis triloba Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1912) 254
Type: Schlechter 18595 (holo B, lost; iso BO, K)
Epiphytic, erect, caespitose, 30-40 cm high. Rhizome very short. Roots filiform, elongated, flexuose, puberulous. Stems erect, slender, terete, glabrous, at the base covered with large, acuminate sheaths with beautiful reticulate nerves, 1-leaved, 15-20 cm long, 2.25-2.50 mm across. Leaves erect-patent, linear-ligulate, acute, at the base narrowed into a short petiole, glabrous, coriaceous, 11-16 cm long, near the middle 0.5-0.9 cm wide. Inflorescences several arranged into a terminal capitulum, covered with lanceolate, acute or acuminate scales. Bracts very small, ovate, apiculate, hyaline. Flowers erect-patent. Sepals ligulate-oblong, narrowly obtuse, at the base sparsely puberulous, 6.5 mm long. Lateral sepals oblique, at the base along the anterior margin conspicuously dilated and connate; mentum sac-like, obliquely oblong, obtuse, puberulous, almost 0.3 cm long. Petals obliquely linear-lanceolate, acute or acuminate, glabrous, a little shorter than the sepals. Lip in basal part wedge-ligulate, margin minutely ciliolate, above the middle 3-lobed, 0.9 cm long; lateral lobes very small, short, dentiform, obtuse; mid-lobe much larger, oblong, obtuse, in apical half carnose-thickened, with two thin, minutely ciliolate, parallel lamellae, arising above the base, extending to and decurrent on the base of the mid-lobe. Column short scarcely extending to the basal third of the lip, glabrous, arms large, obliquely oblong, blunt; foot short. Anther reniformi, minutely apiculate, glabrous. Ovary cylindrical, puberulous, subsessile, about 0.4 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914).
Colours: Flower reddish, petals whitish, lip apex yellow.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest. Altitude 1400 m.
Flowering time in the wild: November.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 125-159M.JPG
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte, keep in light shade.