Calanthe labellicauda Gilli, Ann. Naturhist. Mus. Wien 84, B (1980 publ. 1983) 18, fig. 5
Type: Gilli 527 (holo W)
Terrestrial, erect, 80 cm tall. Leaves erect, narrowly lanceolate, acuminate, base cuneate, gradually narrowed into the petiole which is dilated and sheathing at the base, blade 40 cm long, 2.5 cm wide, petiole almost equally long. Inflorescence glabrous, with a few large, clasping scales, including the rachis to 50 cm long. Rachis densely many-flowered, to 10 cm long. Floral bracts lanceolate, as long as the flowers, soon falling off. Flowers erect-patent. Sepals lanceolate, apiculate, glabrous, 1 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique. Petals ovate-lanceolate, apiculate, 0.9 cm long, 0.4 cm wide, glabrous. Lip 1 cm long, at the base broadly linear, 0.15 cm wide, abruptly narrowed into a narrowly linear, 0.5 cm long, 0.08 cm wide part with the apex rather obtusely acuminate; spur narrowly cylindrical, at the apex subclavate-widened, glabrous, 0.5-2 cm long. Column 0.5 cm long, apex clavate-widened. Ovary glabrous, including the pedicel 1-2 cm long. (After Gilli, 1983).
Colours: Flower white.
Habitat: Terrestrial in upper montane forest in shaded positions. Altitude 1950 m.
Flowering time in the wild: February.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea.
Cultivation: Cool growing terrestrial, keep in shade.