Podochilus smithianus

Podochilus smithianus Schltr. in K.Schum. & Lauterb., Nachtr. Fl. Deutsch. Schutzgeb. Südsee (1905) 123

Type: Schlechter 14060 (holo B, lost)

Epiphytic, decumbent, low, to 17 cm long, branched; roots filiform flexuose, glabrous; branches almost straight, densely leafy, entirely covered with the leaf-sheaths. Leaves distichous, linear-lanceolate, with bristle-like acuminate apex, glabrous, somewhat narrowed towards the base, 0.6-0.8 cm long, c. 0.2 cm wide. Inflorescence terminal, short, few-flowered. Floral bracts ovate, narrowed-acuminate, almost as long as the ovary. Flowers patent. Median sepal ovate-lanceolate, subobtuse, 0.25 cm long, concave. Lateral sepals 0.25 by 0.2 cm, at base along the front margin strongly dilated; mentum obtuse. Petals linear-subfalcate, subobtuse, a little shorter than the sepals. Lip inserted at the apex of the column-foot, peltate, in total 0.3 cm long, in apical half 0.15-0.2 cm wide, blade oblong, apical half ovate, subobtuse, at the base slightly extended beyond the point of attachment and emarginate. Column short; rostellum erect, lanceolate-triangular, apex notched. Anther cordate, in front tridentate; pollinia 6 [!], oblique; stipes 2, distinct, slender; viscidium single. (After Schlechter, 1905)

Colours: Flowers white or pale pinkish.

Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 1500 m.

Flowering time in the wild: January.

Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).

Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 568-124M.JPG.

Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.

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