Taeniophyllum orthorhynchum Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 1029
Type: Schlechter 16404; 18953 (syn B, lost)
Very small leafless epiphyte. Roots flattened, slightly flexuose, up to 15 cm long, 0.13-0.18 cm wide. Inflorescence sessile, rather laxly 5- to 8-flowered, slightly verruculose, 0.5 cm long, flexuose. Floral bracts deltoid, apiculate, much shorter than the ovary. Flowers glabrous. Sepals oblong, apiculate, 0.45 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique. Petals subfalcate, linear-ligulate, obtuse, almost as long as the sepals. Lip broadly ellipsoid-cucullate, as long as the petals, in the middle 0.4 cm wide, at the apex notched and apiculate, inside with a swollen median line; spur broadly ellipsoid, broadly obtuse, 0.25 cm long. Column very short; rostellum large, straight; anther oblong-cucullate, narrowed in front, obtuse. Ovary cylindrical, glabrous, 0.4 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)
Colours: Flower yellow, lip white, column in front red.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lowland forest; 250 to 300 m.
Flowering time in the wild: August, December.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 676-143M.JPG.
Cultivation: Warm growing epiphyte.