Thelasis globiceps

Thelasis globiceps J.J.Sm., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 12 (1913) 24

Type: Gjellerup 905 (holo BO; iso L)

Small epiphyte. Rhizome creeping, covered with short tubular sheaths. Pseudobulbs rather closely spaced, decumbent, strongly obliquely depressed, when dried 0.9 cm long, at the apex 1-leaved, in the basal part with a cataphyll that sometimes carries a minute leaf-blade. Leaf articulated, erect, lanceolate-linear, obliquely obtuse, at the base petiolate-contracted, fleshy, when dried 4.1-7.3 by 0.57-0.9 cm; sheath petiole-shaped, 0.6-1 cm long. Inflorescence arising at the base of the pseudobulb, erect; peduncle 4.2-6 cm long, in the basal part with a few small, tubular, acute scales, near the middle with one additional scale; rachis with flowers densely subglobose, many-flowered, when rehydrated 0.8 cm long and diam. Floral bracts initially densely imbricate, later widely patent, persistent, at the base semiorbicular, acuminate with acute tip, concave, to 0.28 by 0.23 cm. Flowers very small, widely patent, sessile, including the ovary almost 0.3 cm long, 0.23 cm wide, dorsally flattened, somewhat fleshy. Sepals parallel, dorsally sparsely furfuraceous-punctate. Median sepal oblong-triangular, acute, concave, 1-nerved, 0.25 by 0.13 cm. Lateral sepals obliquely triangular, narrowly obtuse, concave, dorsally strongly keeled, with the keel extending beyond the apex, 1-nerved, 0.3 cm long, at the base 0.16 cm wide. Petals elliptic, slightly acuminate, acute, at the apex slightly recurved, somewhat flexuose, concave, 1-nerved, 0.23 by 0.1 cm. Lip with incurved margins, concave, rhombic-ovate, subacute, 3-nerved, especially at the base thickened, at the apex without callus, 0.23 by 0.16 cm. Column 0.17 cm long; clinandrium oblong-ovate, concave; rostellum elongated, bipartite, with subulate lobes; stigma ovate; similar to the clinandrium but shorter. Anther at the base short-cordate, 4-lobulate, gradually long acuminate-narrowed, with sharply acute tip, 0.14 cm long; pollinia with long linear stipe, the whole pollinarium 0.14 long. Ovary depressed-obconical, sparsely furfuraceous-punctate, 0.18 cm long. (After Smith, 1916)

Colours: Flower greenish white.

Habitat: Epiphyte in lowland forest; 300 m.

Flowering time in the wild: November.

Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).

Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Indonesia). See map: 686-25M.JPG.

Cultivation: Warm growing epiphyte.

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