Ceratostylis inflata Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1912) 248
Type: Schlechter 19361 (holo B, lost; iso K)
Epiphytic, erect, slender, caespitose. Rhizome very short. Roots filiform, elongated, flexuose, puberulous. Stems slender, terete, glabrous, 1-leaved, at the base covered with a few lanceolate, acuminate sheaths which are small for the genus, 5-20 cm long, 0.125-0.15 cm across. Leaves erect, short, subulate, acute, terete, adaxially slightly sulcate, up to 3 cm long, as wide as the stem. Inflorescences few to several, arranged into a capitulum, covered with ovate-lanceolate, acuminate scales. Flowers erect-patent. Floral bracts minute, ovate, acute, glabrous. Sepals ligulate, oblong, obtuse, at the base sparsely puberulous, 0.35 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique, subacute, at the base extended and connate along the front margin; mentum sac-like, obliquely obturbinate-inflated, 0.15 cm long. Petals obliquely linear-ligulate, acute, glabrous, a little shorter than the sepals. Lip 0.4 cm long, above the middle 0.13 cm wide, narrowed at the base, oblong-ligulate, obtuse, carnose-thickened in apical fourth, with two parallel, thin, ciliolate lamellae arising above the base decurrent to the middle. Column scarcely half as long as the lip, arms obliquely oblong, obtuse, large; foot very short. Anther quadrate, broadly obtuse, glabrous. Ovary subsessile, cylindrical, shortly villose, 0.35 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914).
Colours: Flower reddish, inside white, lip apex yellow.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lowland forest. Altitude 450 m.
Flowering time in the wild: May.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 125-67M.JPG
Cultivation: Warm growing epiphyte.