Agrostophyllum curvilabre J.J.Sm., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 11 (1912) 274
Type: Gjellerup 512 (holo BO 2x; iso L)
Stems closely spaced, strongly compressed, 13-23 cm long, 0.85-1.35 cm wide, c. 6-8-leaved, in the basal part covered with overlapping conduplicate sheaths that become larger upwards. Leaves lanceolate, papyraceous, 6.75-17 by 1.7-2.1 cm, at the apex mostly bidentate, mucronate, teeth and mucro subulate-filiform, base of leaf narrowed and conduplicate, in the apical part denticulate, the small teeth sometimes elongated, mid-rib when dried thinly grooved above, slightly prominent below; sheaths longer than the internodes, in the basal part tubular, above conduplicate and with an irregular, broad, membranous margin. Inflorescence forming a head 2.8 cm diam., with dry sheaths, peduncles very short, 0.3 cm long, 1-flowered, covered with c. 3, distichous, widely funnel-shaped, overlapping, at the apex obliquely membranous, furfuraceous-spotted, upwards larger, small scales. Floral bract small, similar to the scales but larger, obtuse, apiculate, 0.35-0.4 cm long. Flower 1 cm long. Sepals dorsally furfuraceous-spotted and cohering with the petals. Median sepal broadly triangular-ovate, conical-apiculate, concave, 3-nerved, 0.7 by 0.44 cm. Lateral sepals strongly obliquely ovate, long subulate-acuminate, concave, 4-5-nerved, outer nerves thin, mid-rib dorsally near the apex prominent, 0.7 cm long, in total slightly over 1 cm long, 0.5 cm wide, at the base obliquely dilated, clasping the spur of the lip; mentum pointing backwards, appressed to the ovary, broadly obtuse, 0.28 cm long. Petals obliquely oblong, at the apex triangular, acute, incurved and somewhat erose, concave, 3-nerved, 0.65 by 0.27 cm. Lip strongly curved upwards, saccate, slightly 3-lobed, when not flattened 0.95 cm long, when flattened 1.1 cm long; spur pointing backwards, rounded, longitudinally grooved, 0.23 cm long; lateral lobes very short, slightly rounded, hardly developed, connected by a transverse, bilobed lamella; mid-lobe curved upwards, large, strongly concave, at the base contracted, flabellate-dilated, 0.65 by 0.9 cm, at the apex broadly truncate or slightly retuse with a rather large subulate apiculum, crenulate, in the basal part up to 2/5 above the base 2-ribbed, c. 9-nerved. Column making an obtuse angle with the ovary, c.0.21 cm long, on either side of the stigma with a thick, irregularly folded tooth, below with an additional duplicate tooth, below the stigma with a large, reflexed, carnose, quadrangular, towards the apex dilated, truncate, concave, dorsally convex appendage, basal part carnose-thickened with a longitudinal, papillose, at the apex triangular groove. Column-foot short, pointing backwards. Anther cucullate, ovate, obtuse, at the base 3-lobulate, 0.15 cm long. Pollinia 8. Rostellum absent. Stigma apical, triangular. Ovary 6-grooved, appressed blackish brown pilose, 0.8 cm long. (After Smith, 1915).
Colours: Flower white, lip at base light yellow-brown.
Habitat: Epiphyte in montane forest. Altitude 1371-2042 m.
Flowering time in the wild: May, June.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea), Solomon Islands.
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Indonesia); Papua New Guinea. See map: 24-24M.JPG
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.
Note: Related to Agrostophyllum compressum Schltr.