Ceratostylis glabriflora Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1912) 253
Type: Schlechter 18747 (holo B, lost; iso AMES, K, L)
Epiphytic, caespitose, erect, 18-39 cm high. Rhizome very short. Roots filiform, elongated, flexuose, puberulous. Stems 12-22 cm long, 0.175-0.2 cm across, erect, slender, 1-leaved, terete, glabrous, at the base covered with acuminate sheaths. Leaves erect, linear, long acuminate, at the base narrowed into a 1-1.5 cm long petiole, glabrous, coriaceous, including the petiole 8-11 cm long, near the middle 2-3.5 cm long. Inflorescences few, arranged into a terminal capitulum, covered with lanceolate, acuminate scales. Floral bracts very small, ovate, apiculate, hyaline. Flowers glabrous except for the ovary. Sepals oblong, narrowly obtuse, glabrous, about 0.7 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique, at the base dilated and connate along the front margin; mentum oblong, obtuse, 0.25 cm long. Petals oblique, narrowly lanceolate, acuminate, glabrous, a little shorter than the sepals. Lip oblanceolate-ligulate, in apical third carnose-thickened, obtuse, 0.9 cm long, in the middle with an almost round depression, with two thin, parallel raised basal lines or lamellae, decurrent in the middle. Column less than half as long as the lip, glabrous, arms obliquely oblong; foot medium-sized. Anther galeate-cucullate, minutely apiculate, glabrous. Ovary cylindrical, puberulous, almost 0.4 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914).
Colours: Flower reddish, lip apex golden yellow.
Habitat: Epiphyte in upper montane forest. Altitude 2400-3600 m.
Flowering time in the wild: April, May, June, July, November.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 125-56M.JPG
Cultivation: Cool growing epiphyte.