Taeniophyllum oblongum Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 1029
Type: Schlechter 16387 (holo B, lost)
Very small leafless epiphyte. Roots flattened, flexuose, up to 8 cm long, 0.15-0.2 cm wide. Inflorescence sessile, flexuose, up to 2 cm long, rather densely few- to several-flowered. Floral bracts ovate, apiculate, much shorter than the ovary. Flowers glabrous. Sepals ligulate-oblong, apiculate, outside subdentate-keeled, 0.38 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique. Petals obliquely linear, obtuse, as long as the sepals. Lip somewhat fleshy, oblong, broadly obtuse, with somewhat swollen margins, as long as the sepals; spur ellipsoid, less than half as long as the lip. Column very short; rostellum straight, very large. Anther lanceolate-cucullate, obtuse; pollinia obliquely ovoid; stipe at the base thin, towards the apex widened, 3 to 4 times longer than the pollinia; viscidium lanceolate, rather small, turned backwards. Ovary 6-ribbed, 0.3 cm long, glabrous. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)
Colours: Flower whitish yellow with red markings, column with red margins.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lowland forest; 200 m.
Flowering time in the wild: August.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 676-140M.JPG.
Cultivation: Warm growing epiphyte.