Octarrhena firmula Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 903
Type: Schlechter 20285 (holo B, lost)
Epiphytic, erect, rather stiff, 3.5-7 cm high. Roots filiform, glabrous. Stem straight, 2.5-8 cm high, densely leafy, entirely covered with the leaf-sheaths. Leaves erect-patent, equitant, linear, acute, carnose, 0.7-1.3 cm long, 0.15-0.18 cm wide. Inflorescence laxly 5-9-flowered, erect, almost twice as long as the leaves. Floral bracts broadly elliptic, apiculate, less than half as long as the ovary. Flowers minute, glabrous. Sepals ovate, obtuse, 0.13 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique, towards the base along the front margin a little dilated. Petals oblique, broadly ovate, obtuse, less than half as long as the sepals. Lip ovate, obtuse, only slightly longer than the petals. Column short, thick; rostellum triangular bidentate. Anther reniform-cucullate, umbonate, broadly obtuse. Ovary and pedicel short, clavate, 0.15 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)
Colours: Flowers yellow.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 1000 m.
Flowering time in the wild: September.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 486-27M.JPG.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.