Taeniophyllum latipetalum

Taeniophyllum latipetalum Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 1034

Type: Schlechter 19693 (holo B, lost)

Epiphyte without leaves, large for the genus. Roots slightly flexuose, flattened, 30 cm or more long, 0.25-0.35 cm wide. Inflorescence very densely many-flowered, turned to all sides, with very long peduncle, including the peduncle 6-20 cm long, very densely muriculate-hispid. Floral bracts lanceolate, acuminate, shorter than the ovary. Flowers opening in succession, glabrous except for the ovary. Sepals narrowly oblong, obtuse, at the apex outside slightly swollen, 0.3 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique. Petals very broadly rhombic-elliptic, at the apex obtuse, outside a little swollen, almost as long as the sepals. Lip in outline broadly ovate, as long as the petals, obtuse, in apical fourth almost lobe-like narrowed, at the apex swollen, in the middle with a cavity; spur slightly decurved cylindrical, towards the apex a little dilated, obtuse, c. 1 cm long. Column very short; rostellum quite long, ascending; pollinia obliquely obovoid; stipe twice as long, at the base thin; towards the apex widened; viscidium turned backwards, narrowly lanceolate, acute, large. Ovary pedicellate, clavate, muricate-papillose, 0.45 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)

Colours: Flower light yellow with golden yellow tips.

Habitat: Epiphyte on mossy tree trunks in montane forest; 1200 to 2700 m.

Flowering time in the wild: February, June, October.

Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea), Solomon Islands.

Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Indonesia); Papua New Guinea. See map: 676-111M.JPG.

Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.

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