Corybas aristatus (Schltr.) Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 19 (1923) 21
Basionym: Corysanthes aristata
Epiphytic, very small, 4.5-5 cm high. Roots filiform, elongated, flexuose, glabrous. Leaf broadly ovate, cordate, aristate-apiculate, margin minutely undulate, nerves above slightly thickened, 1-1.3 cm long, below the middle about 1 cm broad. Peduncle almost absent. Floral bract erect, lanceolate, acuminate, shorter than the ovary. Flower erect. Median sepal lanceolate, ligulate, acuminate, extended into a ca. 3.5 mm long awn, concave, margin towards the apex minutely serrulate, 1.5 cm long. Lateral sepals bristle-like filiform, slightly longer than the median sepal. Petals similar to the sepals and equally long. Lip cucullate, shorter than the median sepal, slightly decurved in front, apiculate, with a double linear callus in the middle of the blade, glabrous, apical margin very minutely serrulate, the throat in front not inflated, with very small, basal, divergent, obtuse, conical spurs. Column very small. Ovary cylindrical, glabrous, about 1 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914, as Corysanthes aristata Schltr.).
Colours: Flower outside whitish with purple stripes.
Habitat: Epiphyte on mossy tree-trunks in lower montane forest. Altitude 2100 m.
Flowering time in the wild: November.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Indonesia); Papua New Guinea. See map: 178-16M.JPG
Cultivation: Cool growing epiphyte, needs humus-rich, well-drained soil and a shaded position.