Pedilochilus pusillum

Pedilochilus pusillum Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1912) 686

Type: Schlechter 18724 (holo B, lost; iso AMES)

Epiphyte, very small, tufted, to 6 cm high. Rhizome short; roots filiform, elongated, flexuose, glabrous. Pseudobulbs crowded, ovoid-cylindrical, 0.4-0.55 by 0.2-0.35 cm below the middle; 1-leaved. Leaf erect, elliptic-ligulate, apiculate or subacute, 0.8-2.5 by 0.3-0.6 cm near the middle; base weakly narrowed into a petiole. Inflorescence 1-flowered, setiform, glabrous, 2-3.5 cm long, with 2-4 distant, clasping, minute peduncle-scales. Floral bracts cucullate, obtuse, much shorter than the ovary and pedicel. Pedicel and ovary slender, clavate, glabrous, 0.5 cm long. Flower erect. Median sepal obovate, obtuse, glabrous, 0.6 cm long. Lateral sepals obliquely oblong, obtuse, glabrous, as long as the median sepal. Petals held close together, slightly curved, obliquely oblong-ligulate, apiculate, glabrous, 0.4 cm long; base claw-like narrowed; front margin above the base subangular-dilated. Lip in outline obovate, slipper-shaped, obtuse, very shortly clawed, in total 0.5 by 0.35 cm above the middle; auricles above the base recurved, obliquely oblong, obtuse; callus in between obtuse, apically gradually vanishing; inside in basal half with 3 small, slightly raised nerves. Column short, glabrous; stelidia subulate, about as long as the column; column-foot moderately long, incurved. Anther helmet shaped-cucullate, dorsally minutely papillose. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)

Colours: Flowers yellowish white. Sepals with few red spots. Petals and lip with more and larger red spots.

Habitat: Epiphyte in montane forest; 2500 m.

Flowering time in the wild: November.

Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).

Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea; see map 534-32M.jpg.

Cultivation: Cool growing epiphyte.

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