Taeniophyllum proboscideum Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 1033
Type: Schlechter 19445 (holo B, lost)
Epiphyte without leaves. Roots flexuose, flattened, to more than 30 cm long, 0.3 cm wide. Inflorescence rather densely many-flowered, including the peduncle to 9 cm long, very densely muricate-hispid. Floral bracts deltoid, much shorter than the ovary. Sepals ligulate-oblong, apiculate, outside keeled and in basal half sparsely muriculate, 0.7 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique. Petals similar to the sepals and almost as large, glabrous. Lip very broadly ovate, 0.6 cm long, below the middle 0.5 cm wide, apiculate, concave, in the apical half near the margins on either side with a longitudinal ring, below the apex with a short pit; spur almost patent, cylindrical, towards the apex slightly thickened, 0.7 cm long. Column very short; rostellum very large, proboscis-like. Anther cucullate, shortly and indistinctly rostrate; pollinia obliquely obovoid; stipe 6 to 7 times longer, at the base thin, widened towards the apex; viscidium oblong, rather small. Ovary densely muricate, 0.5 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)
Colours: Flower white, outside with violet spiny hairs, lip near the apex with a red dot, tip of spur red.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 900 m.
Flowering time in the wild: May.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 676-167M.JPG.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.