Moerenhoutia geluana Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 17 (1921) 367
Type: Werner 69 (holo B, lost)
Terrestrial, erect, 40-55 cm high. Rhizome stem-like, terete, 0.3-0.4 cm diam.; roots flexuose, rather thick, finely villose. Stem terete, glabrous, erect 5- to 6-leaved, 13-22 cm high, c. 0.5 cm diam. Leaves erect-patent, petiolate, glabrous; blade elliptic-lanceolate, oblique, acuminate, base rounded-cuneate, 5.5-9 cm long, below the middle 2.4-3.6 cm wide; petiole at the base dilated, sheathing, 2.8-4 cm long. Inflorescence erect, straight, glabrous, peduncle with several acuminate, clasping scales; rachis densely many-flowered, up to l3 cm long. Floral bracts erect-patent, elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate, almost as long as the ovary. Flowers glabrous. Sepals oblong, obtuse, 0.8 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique. Petals narrowed at the base, ligulate, obliquely rhombic, obtuse, cohering with the median sepal. Lip 0.7 cm long, at the base cucullate-concave, contracted above the basal part, abruptly dilated above the contraction, then elliptic-concave, at the apex with a semi-oblong, obtuse lobule; near the base inside with two rounded, densely verruculose-rugose appendages; mid-nerve thickened. Column grooved in front; rostellum deeply bifid. Ovary cylindrical, glabrous, 0.9 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1922)
Colours: Not recorded.
Habitat: Terrestrial in montane forest; 1700 m.
Flowering time in the wild: August.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 455-3M.JPG.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing terrestrial, requires shaded position.