Ceratostylis longipes Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1912) 250
Type: Schlechter 18469 (holo B, lost; iso AMES, BO, K)
Epiphytic, caespitose, 13-20 cm high. Rhizome very short. Roots filiform, elongated, flexuose, puberulous. Stems slender, terete, 1-leaved, at the base covered with lanceolate, acuminate sheaths, 9-14 cm long, 1.50-1.75 mm across. Leaves erect, subulate, acute, 2.5-4 cm long, as wide as the stems. Inflorescences several, arranged into a very small capitulum, covered with ovate-lanceolate, acuminate scales. Flowers erect-patent. Bracts minute, ovate, apiculate. Sepals oblong, subacute, in basal half puberulous. Lateral sepals at the base along the anterior margin conspicuously extended and in front connate at the base; mentum sac-like, oblong, obtuse, 2.5 mm long. Petals linear, shortly acuminate, oblique, glabrous, a little shorter than the sepals. Lip ligulate in basal third, above dilated, oblong, obtuse, in apical fourth carnose-thickened, with slightly incurved margins, 0.4 cm long, lamellae with two thin, minutely ciliolate, parallel lamellae arising above the base, decurrent to above the middle of the lip. Column a little more than half as long as the lip, arms large, obliquely oblong; foot distinctly longer than the column. Anther subquadrate, glabrous, in front bidentate. Ovary and pedicel puberulous, about 0.3 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914).
Colours: Flower yellowish white with reddish mentum and golden yellow lip apex.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lowland rainforest. Altitude 150 m.
Flowering time in the wild: October.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 125-87M.JPG
Cultivation: Warm growing epiphyte, keep in light shade.