Corybas speculum (Schltr.) Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 19 (1923) 22
Basionym: Corysanthes speculum
Terrestrial, very small, 2-3 cm high. Roots filiform, elongated, flexuose, puberulous. Leaf broadly, ovate, acuminate, base deeply cordate, glabrous, 2-3 cm long, near the middle 1.3-2.2 cm broad. Flower sessile, erect, floral bracts lanceolate-subulate, longer than the ovary, median sepal above the base ligulate-clawed, elliptic-spathulate, apiculate, hooked, about 2 cm long, dorsally with 5 thickened veins. Lateral sepals ascending or porrect, linear-filiform, sharply acute, about 2.3 cm long, glabrous. Petals similar to the lateral sepals, ascending, about 2.5 cm long. Lip above the cucullate base expanded into a broadly ovate, acuminate, glabrous, large blade, upper half, especially towards the apex coarsely serrate, in the middle near the opening of the throat with an ovate swelling, with very small, conical, falcate, diverging, subacute spurs. Column short, somewhat thickened, glabrous; ovary cylindrical, glabrous, 0.3 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914, as Corysanthes speculum Schltr.).
Colours: Leaves light green with rose-red veins. Flower dark purple, lip in the middle with a rose-red patch and at the margin on both sides with a rose-red spot.
Habitat: Terrestrial in humus in lower montane forest. Altitude 800 m.
Flowering time in the wild: September.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 178-119M.JPG
Cultivation: Warm-intermediate growing terrestrial, keep in shade.