Glomera platypetala

Glomera platypetala Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1912) 282

Type: Schlechter 18197 (holo B, lost)

Epiphytic, erect, branched, up to 35 cm high. Rhizome very short, roots filiform, elongated, flexuose, glabrous, stems and branches somewhat rigid, leafy, entirely covered by the leaf-sheaths, slender. Leaves erect-patent, linear, acute, shortly petiolate, narrowed, glabrous, fleshy, keeled below, 1.5-2.5 cm long, near the middle 0.2-0.35 cm wide, sheaths closely appressed, apex obliquely truncate, slightly rugulose, compressed, laterally keeled on both sides. Inflorescence nodding, several-flowered, initially covered with a soon decaying sheath. Flowers glabrous. Median sepal elliptic, apiculate, 0.7 cm long. Lateral sepals only connate at the very base, shortly apiculate, about as long as the median sepal. Petals at the base almost clawed-cuneate, suborbicular, broadly obtuse, oblique, as long as the sepals, above the middle 0.6 cm wide. Lip broadly ovate, obtuse, 0.23 cm long, above the base 0.18 cm wide, spur subquadrate-oblongoid, 0.3 cm long, 0.25 cm wide, broadly obtuse. Column about a third as long as the lip; clinandrium denticulate, anther in front slightly emarginate, glabrous, pollinia obliquely clavate; viscidium dorsally bilobulate. Ovary cylindrical, sessile, glabrous, 0.55 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914).

Colours: Flower white, lip green with black apex; anther light brown with white humps.

Habitat: Epiphyte in montane forest in exposed positions. Altitude 1200 m.

Flowering time in the wild: September.

Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).

Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 322-104M.JPG

Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte, keep in light position.

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