Calanthe longifolia Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1912) 387
Type: Schlechter 20334 (holo B, lost)
Terrestrial, erect, up to 80 cm high; rhizome very short, roots filiform, elongated, flexuose, puberulous; leaves 4-6, erect, very long, linear-ligulate, acuminate, blade gradually narrowed into the petiole, up to 55 cm long, near the middle up to 3.5 cm wide, petiole 30 cm long, at the base dilated; sheathing; Inflorescence terete, glabrous, with a few large, distant, acuminate, clasping scales, 40 cm long; rachis densely many-flowered, cylindrical, up to 5 cm long; bracts narrow, acuminate, equalling the flowers, soon falling off, flowers patent. Sepals oblong, apiculate, glabrous, 1.1 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique. Petals obliquely elliptic, apiculate, 0.9 cm long, near the middle 0.5 cm wide, glabrous. Lip 3-lobed, 0.6 cm long, between the apices of the lateral lobes 0.4 cm wide, near the mouth of the spur with two short keels, glabrous, lateral lobes very small, obliquely oblong, obtuse, subporrect, mid-lobe oblong-cuneate, broadly obtuse, several times larger than the lateral lobes, spur subfiliform-cylindrical, apex subclavate-dilated, glabrous, 1.7 cm long. Column towards the apex somewhat dilated, glabrous, 0.3 cm long, in front obliquely truncate, auricles insignificant, clinandrium dorsally 3-lobed, lateral lobes 1-dentate. Anther ovate-cucullate, subacute, subcordate, with a large ovate umbo, glabrous. Ovary with pedicel clavate, glabrous, 1.3 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)
Colours: Flower white, lateral lobes of the lip yellow.
Habitat: Terrestrial in lower montane forest. Altitude 700-1500 m.
Flowering time in the wild: January, April, September.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 101-206M.JPG
Cultivation: Intermediate growing terrestrial, keep in shade.