Habenaria ochroleuca R.Br., Prodr. (1810) 313
Type: Brown s.n. (North Coast, Island Y2, 18 Feb. 1803) (lectotype BM, chosen by Clements)
Tuber oblongoid. Stem 20-45 by 0.1-0.2 cm, 2-3-leaved at the base. Leaves narrowly oblong, 5-10 by 0.4-0.6 cm, apex acute to acuminate. Inflorescence racemose, peduncle-scales 5-6, 0.6-1 cm long, subulate, rather laxly to densely few- to many-flowered. Floral bracts about half as long as the ovary. Ovary 1-1.4 cm long, variously curved. Flowers c. 1 cm across. Median sepal ovate, 0.35-0.4 by 0.25 cm, apex slightly constricted, obtuse. Lateral sepals patent, more or less subfalcate, 0.6 by 0.15 cm. Petals rather broadly subfalcate, slightly longer than the median sepal, 0.25 cm wide, forming a helmet with the median sepal, at the base on the posterior margin with a very short lobule. Lip 3-lobed just above the cuneate or semicircular base, c. 0.8 cm long, spurred; lateral lobes very narrowly triangular, 0.6 cm long, long acuminate; mid-lobe narrowly triangular, slightly shorter than the lateral lobes, acute; spur pointing backwards, straight or incurved, narrowed in the middle, widest at the mouth. Column 0.3 cm long, staminodes c. 0.1 cm long; rostellum indistinct; stigmatophores about 0.2 cm long. Anther channels about half as long as and adhering to the stigmatophores; caudicles at right angles to the pollinia; viscidium rather small, hemispherical. (After Dockrill, 1969).
Colours: Flower white, median sepal usually green.
Habitat: Terrestrial in grassland in savanna woodland in seasonally wet places.
Flowering time in the wild: January.
Distribution: New Guinea, Australia.
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 347-418M.JPG
Cultivation: Warm growing terrestrial, requires light position and dry resting period.