Ceratostylis arfakensis J.J.Sm., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 12 (1913) 394
Type: Gjellerup 1037 (holo BO; iso L)
Stems closely spaced, numerous, thin, terete, 4.5-10 cm long, 0.07-0.08 cm diam., 1-leaved. Leaf erect, subterete, thin, acute, above almost flat, with a longitudinal groove up to the apex, on either side of the groove convex, 3-4.5 by 0.06-0.07 cm; sheath 0.18-0.2 cm long. Inflorescence head-like, small sheaths numerous, when dried membranous, peduncles short, 1-flowered. Flowers very small. Sepals almost glabrous. Median sepal oblong, at the apex narrowed, obtuse, concave, 1-nerved, 0.18 cm long, almost 0.1 cm wide. Lateral sepals at the base connate along the front margin, obliquely ovate, obtuse, concave, 1-nerved, 0.17 by 0.13 cm; mentum abbreviated, rounded-saccate, scarcely 0.03 cm long. Petals obliquely oblong-ovate, gradually narrowed towards the apex, acute, at the base very shortly contracted, concave, 1-nerved, 0.15 by 0.06 cm. Lip porrect, very shortly broadly clawed, ovate-triangular, obtuse, concave, at the apex convex-thickened, with the margin in the basal half papillose, 3-nerved, outer nerves in the basal part thickened and papillose in the middle, mid-vein thickened in the apical part, convex underneath, 0.13 by 0.1 cm. Column short, bipartite, 0.06 cm long, arms porrect, slightly divergent, subobliquely elliptic, rounded, outside convex, inside concave, belonging to the stigma. Anther cucullate, nearly semiorbicular, at the apex truncate-rounded, at the base 4-lobulate, 0.03 cm wide. Pollinia 8, clavate. Column-foot almost absent. Ovary pedicellate, pubescent, 0.1 cm long. (After Smith, 1915).
Colours: Flower white.
Habitat: Epiphyte in upper montane forest. Altitude 1800-2100 m.
Flowering time in the wild: June, December.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Indonesia); Papua New Guinea. See map: 125-14M.JPG
Cultivation: Cool growing epiphyte.