Liparis kempteriana Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1911) 208
Type: Schlechter 17556 (syn B, lost); 17997 (syn B, lost)
Epiphytic, erect, 15-25 cm high. Rhizome short; roots filiform, elongated, flexuose, villose. Pseudobulbs closely spaced, cylindrical, somewhat swollen towards the base, glabrous, at the apex 2-leaved, 3-6 cm long, above the base 0.5-1 cm diam. Leaves erect-patent or suberect, oblanceolate-ligulate, acute or apiculate, gradually somewhat narrowed towards the base, glabrous on both sides, 10-22 cm long, above the middle 1.2-2.6 cm wide. Inflorescence somewhat laterally compressed, towards the apex with a few bract-like scales, glabrous, as long as or shorter than the leaves; rachis densely many-flowered, elongated, up to 12 cm long, cylindrical, c. 1.2 cm diam. across the flowers. Floral bracts erect-patent, lanceolate, acuminate, glabrous, often shorter than the ovary. Flowers erect-patent, glabrous. Sepals reflexed, oblong-lanceolate, obtuse or subobtuse. c. 0.35 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique, slightly wider than the median sepal. Petals reflexed, narrowly linear, obtuse, oblique, about as long as the sepals. Lip curved, oblong, shortly acuminate, at the base with a pit, as long as the petals, above the middle almost 0.15 cm wide. Column slightly curved, glabrous, near the stigma with small auricles, towards the base slightly dilated, c. 0.2 cm long. Anther subreniform, broadly obtuse, glabrous. Ovary with pedicel slender, glabrous, c. 0.6 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)
Colours: Flowers pale green.
Habitat: Epiphyte in hill forest; 350 to 800 m.
Flowering time in the wild: April, July.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 416-233M.JPG.
Cultivation: Warm growing epiphyte.