Appendicula torricelliana Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1912) 337
Type: Schlechter 20261 (holo B, lost)
Epiphyte, 24 cm high, several-stemmed; rhizome very short, roots filiform, elongated, flexuose, glabrous; stems unbranched, erect or suberect, densely leafy, terete, glabrous, entirely covered by the closely appressed leaf-sheaths; leaves erect-patent, elliptic, apex unequally biapiculate, glabrous, 0.8-1.2 cm long, in the middle or below the middle 0.4-0.5 cm wide. Inflorescences terminal, densely several-flowered, short, usually shorter than, sometimes as long as the leaves; bracts somewhat patent, oblong, narrowly obtuse or apiculate, somewhat shorter than the pedicellate ovary. Flowers erect, patent, glabrous. Sepals ovate, obtuse, 0.2 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique, at the base somewhat dilated along the front margin. Petals obliquely ligulate, obtuse, somewhat shorter than the sepals, towards the base somewhat narrowed. Lip quadrate-oblong, broadly obtuse with an obtuse apiculum, in the middle somewhat narrowed, 0.18 cm long, above the base and above the middle 0.1 cm wide, without appendage. Column very short, almost without a foot, in front below the stigma with a short carnose tooth. Anther broadly ovate-cucullate, obtusely 3-apiculate, glabrous; pollinia 6, obliquely clavate. Ovary with pedicel clavate, glabrous, 0.3 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)
Colours: Flower initially light rose-red, later yellowish.
Habitat: Epiphyte in montane forest in shaded positions. Altitude 1000 m.
Flowering time in the wild: September.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 57-202M.JPG
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte, keep in shade.