Saccolabiopsis rara (Schltr.) J.J.Sm., Nova Guinea 18 (1935) 75
Basionym: Malleola rara
Epiphytic, very small, almost stemless; roots flexuose, glabrous. Leaves c. 4-6, erect-patent, subfalcate-ligulate, unequally and obtusely bilobulate, gradually somewhat narrowed towards the base, 2.8-4.2 cm long, near the middle 0.5-0.8 cm wide. Inflorescence rather laxly 12-18-flowered, slightly curved, distinctly longer than the leaves (sometimes almost twice as long); peduncle with a few small scales, slender, almost as long as the leaves. Floral bracts lanceolate, acute, much shorter than the ovary . Flowers minute, glabrous. Sepals oblong-subspathulate, obtuse, 0.2 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique. Petals narrowly oblong-ligulate, somewhat narrowed towards the base, almost as long as the sepals. Lip as long as the sepals, 0.19 cm wide near the middle, broadly conical-saccate, obtuse, blade indistinctly 5-lobed; spur 0.15 cm long, obtuse. Column short. Ovary subsessile, 0.25 cm long, glabrous. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)
Colours: Flowers yellow, lip white.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lowland forest; 150 m.
Flowering time in the wild: September.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea), Solomon Islands.
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 620-10M.JPG.
Cultivation: Warm growing epiphyte.