Glossorhyncha ambuensis

Glossorhyncha ambuensis P.Royen, Alp. Fl. New Guinea 2 (1979) 623, fig. 219

Type: Kalkman 5137 (holo L)

Epiphytic, up to 60 cm high, branched herb, probably creeping along substratum with subpendulous branches. Stems terete, glabrous. Leaf patent to spreading, subcoriaceous, glabrous, linear, ovate in basal part, 0.7-2.4 by 0.25-0.4 cm, unequally 2-lobed at tip, both lobes obtuse or rounded, mid-rib grooved above, sometimes flanked by one slightly prominent ridge on either side, prominent below, lateral nerves 2 or 3 on either side, prominent on underside only, margin thin, irregularly wavy-papillate; sheaths rather densely warty, tubular, 0.3-2.8 cm long, ribbed, along apical margin with 0.2-0.3 cm long bristles, each sparsely warty. Spathe obovoid-cylindrical, 1.5 by 0.4 cm, rounded, nerved mid-rib slightly crested, scattered warty mainly along the nerves. Floral bract slightly longer than spathe and thinner, nerves and warts less developed. Ovary falcate-clavate, 1.3 cm long, 3-winged, each wing twin-ridged, glabrous. Median sepal papillate at tip only, ovate-lanceolate, 1.5 by 0.35 cm, obtuse, conoid-apiculate, base 3-nerved, in higher parts 7-nerved. Lateral sepals papillate at tip only, connate along lower margins of basal appendages, and along upper margin along a narrow basal part, falcate-ovate, 1.7 by 0.4 cm, obtuse, conoid-apiculate, 5-nerved. Petals glabrous, narrowly ovate-lanceolate, 1.15 by 0.25 cm, obtuse, 3-nerved at base, 5-nerved in higher parts. Lip adnate to base of column, 2 cm long, free part broadly rhombic-cordate, 0.7 by 0.35 cm, 3-lobed, obtuse and thickened at tip, 7-nerved; spur glabrous, clavate, 1.3 cm long, indistinctly 2-lobed at tip. Column short and broad, 0.25 by 0.15 by 0.15 cm, clinandrium 2-dentata. Anther not seen. Capsule not seen. (After Van Royen, 1979).

Colours: Flowers green but tip of lip dark (black or brown?).

Habitat: Epiphyte in upper montane forest. Altitude 3350 m.

Flowering time in the wild: Not known

Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).

Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 325-11M.JPG

Cultivation: Cool growing epiphyte.

Note: The genus Glossorhyncha is here considered to be a synonym of Glomera. For the present species a name under Glomera is not yet available; it may be a species already described under a different name.

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