Ascoglossum calopterum (Rchb.f.) Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 975
Basionym: Saccolabium calopterum
A large epiphytic herb. Stems erect or pendent, often horizontal in the apical part, up to 50 by 1.5 cm, leafy in the apical part. Leaves coriaceous, alternate, strap-like, up to 25 by 2.5 cm, unequally bilobed at the apex, articulated to a 4 cm long basal sheath. Inflorescence lateral, branching, erect, 35-60 cm long, the branches 4-7-flowered, the flowers opening in succession, with 2 or 3 open at a time; peduncle terete, 20-35 cm long. Floral bracts ovate-triangular, subacute, 0.2-0.3 cm long. Pedicel and ovary 1.3-1.8 cm long. Sepals and petals reflexed. Median sepal elliptic-spathulate, obtuse, 1.4 by 0.5 cm. Lateral sepals spathulate, obtuse, 1.6 by 0.6-0.9 cm, concealing the spur. Petals elliptic, obtuse, 1.2 by 0.5 cm. Lip hinged to the base of the column, 3-lobed, 1.2 cm long, the lateral lobes erect, oblong-rounded, 0.2 by 0.2 cm, attached to the column, the mid-lobe short, ligulate, porrect, spurred, the spur cylindrical-globose, 0.6-0.9 cm long. Column 0.4-0.5 cm long. (After Lewis and Cribb, 1991).
Colours: Leaves dark green and sometimes mottled purple on the underside. Peduncle green flushed with purple. Flowers vivid purple occasionally with an orange or pink lip and spur.
Habitat: Epiphyte in montane forest. Altitude 80-600 m.
Flowering time in the wild: October.
Distribution: Malesia (Moluccas, New Guinea, The Philippines), Solomon Is.
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Indonesia); Papua New Guinea. See map: 74-1M.JPG
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.