Malleola cladophylax (Schltr.) J.J.Sm. & Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 981
Basionym: Saccolabium cladophylax
Epiphytic, unbranched, 5-10 cm high; roots filiform, elongated, flexuose, glabrous. Stem terete, flexuose, glabrous, entirely covered with the persistent leaf-sheaths. Leaves distichous, erect-patent or patent, linear, with unequally bilobed apex, glabrous, coriaceous, 3.5-7 cm long, near the middle 0.3-0.8 cm wide, somewhat narrowed towards the base. Inflorescence erect, laxly 4-8 flowered, much shorter than the leaves, glabrous. Floral bracts minute, lanceolate, acuminate, much shorter than the pedicellate, ovary. Median sepal narrowly oblong-ligulate, subobtuse, glabrous, 0.4 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique, about as long as but a little broader than the median sepal, shortly acuminate. Petals obliquely oblong-ligulate, subacute, apex very slightly incurved, somewhat smaller than the sepals. Lip c. 0.35 [‘3.5’] cm long, glabrous; lateral lobes erect, semiquadrate-oblong, truncate; mid-lobe narrowly lanceolate, acuminate, spur relatively very large, subconical, subobtuse, towards the apex very slightly recurved, inside without appendages. Column very short, rather thick; rostellum large, broad, ascending. Anther rounded, acuminate; pollinia globose, stipe at the base slender, upwards ovate-spathulate; viscidium minutely rounded. Ovary pedicellate, , subclavate, glabrous, c. 0.5 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1905)
Colours: Flowers whitish with red stripes, the spur yellowish.
Habitat: Epiphyte in hill and lower montane forest; 500 to 1100 m.
Flowering time in the wild: April, July.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 432-9M.JPG.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.