Corybas saprophyticus (Schltr.) Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 19 (1923) 22
Basionym: Corysanthes saprophytica
Terrestrial, erect, about 5 cm high, stem up to the apex covered with foliaceous ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, patent, 1.2-1.5 cm long scales. Flower erect, sessile. Floral bract lanceolate, acuminate, glabrous, more than twice as long as the ovary. Median sepal above the ligulate base obovate-spathulate, apiculate, cucullate, hooked, glabrous, about 2.3 cm long, dorsally keeled. Lateral sepals porrect-patent, linear, acute, glabrous, about 4.5 cm long. Petals very similar to the lateral sepals and equally long, ascending, glabrous. Lip above the cucullate base expanded into a large reniform, broadly obtuse blade with serrate-ciliate margins, in the middle near the opening of the throat with a large semi-orbicular umbo, glabrous, spurs diverging, conical, obtuse, small. Ovary cylindrical, glabrous, about 0.5 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914, as Corysanthes saprophytica Schltr.).
Colours: Plant pale coloured. Flower outside tinged red, inside pale purple-red, lip with a large white blotch.
Habitat: Terrestrial in humus in lower montane forest. Altitude 1200 m.
Flowering time in the wild: June.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 178-110M.JPG
Cultivation: Parasite on fungi, impossible to grow under normal conditions.