Taeniophyllum clavatum Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 1035
Type: Schlechter 18562 (holo B, lost; iso AMES, BO, E, K, L, MO, NSW)
Epiphyte without leaves. Roots slightly flexuose, flattened, to 40 cm long, 0.35-0.4 cm wide. Inflorescence to 15 cm long, densely muricate-hispid, rachis short, turned to all sides, very densely several-flowered, up to 15 cm long. Floral bracts lanceolate, acuminate, shorter than the ovary. Flowers glabrous except for the ovary. Sepals oblong-ligulate, obtuse, 0.4 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique. Petals obliquely ovate, obtuse, almost as long as the sepals. Lip in outline elliptic, as long as the petals, 3-lobed in apical third, with an oblong cavity extending from the middle to the mouth of the spur, there decurrent; lateral lobes rather small, rounded; mid-lobe reniform, obtuse, fleshy, as wide as the middle part of the lip; spur almost straight. somewhat laterally flattened, cylindrical, at the apex clavate-dilated, 1 cm long. Column very short; rostellum large, hammer-shaped. Anther rounded-cucullate, rostrate, obtuse; pollinia obliquely obovoid; stipe twice as long, at the base thin; towards the apex widened; viscidium turned backwards, narrowly lanceolate, acute, large. Ovary papillose-puberulous, pedicellate, 0.5 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)
Colours: Flower golden yellow.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 1300 m.
Flowering time in the wild: October.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 676-36M.JPG.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.