Cheirostylis dendrophila Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1911) 74
Type: Schlechter 16419; 18077; 18130 (B, lost)
Epiphytic, erect, 7-20 cm high. Rhizome thickened, usually somewhat constricted at the nodes, decumbent. Roots almost lacking. Stem 2-4-leaved. Leaves erect-patent, petiolate, blade ovate or ovate-lanceolate, acute or acuminate, almost rounded at the base, glabrous, 1.6-3.4 cm long, below the middle 1-1.6 cm wide, petiole, dilated at the base, sheathing, 0.7-1.3 cm long. Inflorescence abbreviated, densely 2-7-flowered, glandulose-puberulous, peduncle with a few clasping scales, terete. Bracts erect-patent, lanceolate, acuminate, usually somewhat shorter than the ovary. Flowers erect-patent. Sepals oblong, obtuse, almost to the middle connate into a tube, outside sparsely covered with glandular hairs, 0.6 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique, subacuminate, somewhat decurrent at the base. Petals falcate-ligulate, obtuse, glabrous, about as long as and adhering to the median sepal. Lip 0.6 cm long, at the base concave, with a short claw, in front expanded into a bipartite lobe, the partitions diverging, oblong-quadrate, in front irregularly lobulate-incised, minutely papillose, about 3.5 mm long, inside at the base adorned with a few subulate appendages arranged in two rows. Column very short, rostellum deeply bipartite, with lateral appendages similar to the rostellum lobes and equally long. Anther ovate-cordate, acuminate, glabrous. Ovary clavate, with recurved glandular hairs, together with the pedicel about 0.7 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914).
Colours: Flower white.
Habitat: Terrestrial in lowland rainforest and hill forest. Altitude 250-600 m.
Flowering time in the wild: July, August.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 131-7M.JPG
Cultivation: Warm growing epiphyte, keep in shady position.