Corybas gibbifer (Schltr.) Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 19 (1923) 21
Basionym: Corysanthes gibbifera
Epiphytic, very small, 2-3.5 cm high. Roots filiform, elongated, flexuose, puberulous. Leaf suborbicular or broadly ovate, apiculate, at the base cordate-amplexicaul, 1.2-2 cm long, in the middle or below the middle 0.8-1.8 cm broad, glabrous. Flower very shortly pedunculate or subsessile, erect, glabrous. Floral bract lanceolate-subulate, acuminate, as long as the ovary. Median sepal at the base ligulate-clawed, obovate-spathulate, obtuse, concave, dorsally slightly keeled, 1.5-2.5 cm long, the lateral sepals subulate, porrect, minute, 0.3-0.5 cm long. Petals linear-subulate, sharply acute, ascending, 1-1.3 cm long. Lip above the cucullate base expanded into a suborbicular, shortly acuminate blade with serrate-ciliate margins, glabrous, in the middle with an obtuse conical swelling near the throat, a little shorter than the median sepal, tubular part in front swollen-inflated, strongly laterally compressed, with very small, conical, subacute, divergent spurs. Column very small, somewhat thickened, glabrous. Ovary cylindrical, glabrous, 0.4-0.5 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914, as Corysanthes gibbifera Schltr.).
Colours: Median sepal bright pink; lip white with black-purple veins, tube in front pink, swelling on the lip pink with blackish margin. Leaves light green.
Habitat: Epiphyte on mossy tree-trunks in lower montane forest. Altitude 1000 m.
Flowering time in the wild: September.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 178-52M.JPG
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte, needs humus-rich, well-drained soil and a shaded position.