Cadetia karoensis (Schltr.) Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1912) 440.
Basionym: Dendrobium karoense.
Rhizome very short. Stems crowded, slender, 3.5-8 cm by 2 mm, 1-leaved. Leaves erect-patent, obliquely subfalcate-ligulate, 3.5-7 by 0.5-0.8 cm, apex obtuse, unequally bilobulate. Inflorescences terminal from the leaf axil, 1-flowered. Pedicel and ovary 0.8 cm long, densely bristly recurved-hairy. Flower c. 0.7 cm across. Dorsal sepal broadly ovate, 0.4 cm long, apex acuminate. Petals linear-falcate, 0.4 cm long, apex subacute. Lip 3-lobed, 0.5 cm long; lateral lobes small, obtuse, connected by a transverse crest; midlobe transverse, 0.4 cm wide, apex subretuse. Column short; column-foot sparely minutely pubescent.
(after Schlechter, 1912).
Colours: Not recorded.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lowland forest. Altitude 300 m.
Flowering time in the wild: October.
Distribution: Bismarck Archipelago (endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea (East New Britain Province).
Map: KAROEMAP.JPG [Cadetia karoensis (Schltr.) Schltr., distribution map.]
Notes: Cadetia karoensis is a close relative of Cadetia umbellata. It may be recognised by the obtuse lateral lobes of the lip that are connected by a transverse crest, and by the broader petals.
Cultivation: Warm growing epiphyte.