Taeniophyllum trichopus Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 1026
Type: Schlechter 19228 (holo B, lost)
Epiphyte without leaves. Roots flattened, flexuose, 0.2-0.28 cm wide, to more than 50 cm long. Raceme rather densely 10- to 20-flowered, distichous, including the hair-like peduncle 3.5-10 cm long. Floral bracts deltoid, minute, much shorter than the ovary. Flowers glabrous, opening in succession. Sepals and petals ligulate, subacute, about equally long, 0.6 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique. Lip at the base semi-elliptic, in the middle 3-lobed, as long as the petals; lateral lobes short, obtuse, somewhat incurved; mid-lobe much larger, lanceolate-triangular, obtuse, in the basal part to above the middle with a triangular, cordate callus; spur cylindrical, straight, dilated at the apex, 0.7 cm long. Column short; rostellum hammer-shaped, large. Anther at the base broadly rhombic-cucullate, rostrate; pollinia subglobose; stipe thin and slender, at the apex rhombic-dilated; viscidium large, linear, acute, retrorse. Ovary subsessile, glabrous, 0.5 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)
Colours: Flower yellowish with light orange-yellow spur apex.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lowland forest; 100 to 200 m.
Flowering time in the wild: April.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 676-209M.JPG.
Cultivation: Warm growing epiphyte.