Diplocaulobium linearifolium

Diplocaulobium linearifolium Ridl., Trans. Linn. Soc. London, Bot. 9 (1916) 177.

Type: Kloss s.n. (Camp 3, 2500 ft.); (Camp 6b, 3900 ft.) (syn BM).

Rhizome 3 mm thick. Pseudobulbs crowded, 1-leaved, bottle-shaped, very slender in upper part, 5.5-6.5 cm long, 4 mm wide at the swollen base which is 5 mm long, with lanceolate, 3 cm long, acuminate, papyraceous sheaths at the base. Leaves linear, 10 by 0.2 cm, coriaceous, apex acuminate. Inflorescences terminal, 1-flowered; spathe linear, 1 by 0.1 cm. Pedicel and ovary 2-3.5 cm long, very slender. Flower c. 4 cm across. Dorsal sepal linear at the base, filiform upwards, 2.5 cm long. Lateral sepals triangular at the base, filiform upwards, 2.5 cm long; mentum curved, 0.5 cm long, 0.4 cm wide at the base, obtuse. Petals linear at the base, filiform upwards, 2 cm long. Lip pandurate, 1 by 0.3 cm, widened to the base, margins undulating, with a pair of parallel wavy keels extending from the base to the middle of the terminal lobe, with a powdery indumentum between the keels, terminal lobe ovate, obtuse. Column short, margins of clinandrium denticulate. Anther bell-shaped, warty.
(after Ridley, 1916).

Colours: Not recorded, but apparently tips of sepals, petals and apex of mentum pink.

Habitat: Epiphyte in hill and lower montane forest. Altitude 800-1200 m.

Flowering time in the wild: February.

Distribution: New Guinea (endemic).

Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Timika Mimika Regency).

Notes: Probably conspecific with Diplocaulobium scotiiforme (J.J.Sm.) P.F.Hunt & Summerh.

Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.

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