Goodyera gibbsiae J.J.Sm., Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg, sér. 3, 5 (1922) 24
Basionym: Goodyera arfakensis
Stem (erect part) 9 cm long, c. 5-leaved, in the basal part with sheaths. Leaves patent, oblong- to lanceolate-ovate, gradually acuminate, acute, 5-nerved, very laxly reticulate veined, mid-rib and especially the cross-veins when dried white, the middle leaf largest, to 3.4-3.8 by 1-1.1 cm; petiole channelled, including the tubular sheath 1.2-1.3 cm long. Inflorescence erect, densely many-flowered, peduncle coarsely pubescent, 5.3 cm long, with two small, leaf-like scales; rachis sparsely puberulous, 5.5 cm long. Floral bracts appressed, subulate, acute, at the base dilated and finely ciliate, concave, 1-nerved, 1-0.5 cm long. Flowers patent, small, glabrous. Median sepal ovate, obtuse, concave, 1-nerved, 0.26 by 0.16 cm. Lateral sepals obliquely ovate, obtuse, concave, 1-nerved, 0.28 by 0.15 cm. Petals cohering with median sepal, obliquely spathulate-ligulate, falcate, obtuse, with irregular apical margin, concave, 1-nerved, 0.28 cm long, in the apical part O.O8 cm wide. Lip making an acute angle with the column, largely rounded-saccate, blade obtusely angled-recurved, somewhat concave, underneath convex, underneath longitudinally grooved, 1-nerved, 0.26 cm long, when flattened broadly subovate-triangular, 0.26 cm long, almost O.3 cm wide, basal sac except for the broad margins somewhat fleshy and on either side of the mid-rib with c. 12 scattered pointed papillae, gradually elongated into the triangular-semiorbicular, obtuse, 0.07 cm long, 0.1 cm wide blade. Column straight, dorsally convex, in dorsal view rhombic, 0.15 cm long; clinandrium cucullate. Anther cucullate, cordate, obtuse acuminate, 0.1 cm. long. Rostellum falcate-bidentate. Stigma rather large, transversely elliptic-obreniform, rounded along the lower margin. Ovary 6-grooved, apex slightly narrowed, glabrous, slightly over 0.4 cm long. (After Smith, 1917, as Goodyera arfakensis J.J.Sm. (1917), not Goodyera arfakensis J.J.Sm. (1913)).
Colours: Flower white.
Habitat: Terrestrial in upper montane forest in shaded positions. Altitude 2100 m.
Flowering time in the wild: December.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Indonesia). See map: 332-57M.JPG
Cultivation: Cool growing terrestrial, keep in shade.