Hymenorchis caulina Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 997
Type: Schlechter 19809 (holo B, lost)
Epiphyte, patent, 15 cm long; roots filiform, glabrous; stem elongated, up to 14 cm long, about 0.2 cm diameter, densely leafy, covered with the fimbriate-lacerate leaf-sheaths; leaves linear-ligulate, apiculate, margins towards the apex serrulate-dentate, 3-4 cm long, near the middle 0.4-0.6 cm wide; Inflorescence short, few-flowered, slightly more than half as long as the leaves, peduncle short; bracts ovate, acute, 3 to 4 times shorter than the ovary. Flowers glabrous. Sepals obovate, broadly obtuse, margins somewhat dentate, 0.65 cm long, keeled outside. Lateral sepals oblique. Petals similar to the sepals but somewhat shorter. Lip broadly ovate, margins somewhat dentate, 0.23 cm long and wide, spur oblongoid, 0.5 cm long, obtuse, somewhat narrowed towards the throat. Column short, contracted at the base, rostellum erect, bifid. Anther oblongoid-cucullate, acuminate; pollinia globose, stipe linear, dilated towards the base, 3 times as long as the pollinia, viscidium oblong, large. Ovary triangular, ribs somewhat dentate, 0.6 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)
Colours: Flower light yellow, blade of lip green.
Habitat: Epiphyte in montane forest. Altitude 1200 m.
Flowering time in the wild: June.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 375-1M.JPG
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.