Habenaria torricellensis

Habenaria torricellensis Schltr. in K.Schum. & Lauterb., Nachtr. Fl. Deutsch. Schutzgeb. Südsee (1905) 80

Type: Schlechter 14323 (holo B, lost)

Stem erect, stout, rather thick, c. 90 cm long, in basal third with 2-4 closely spaced leaves, in upper part with widely spaced, short-lived, lanceolate, acuminate sheaths. Leaves erect-patent, lanceolate, 25-30 by 4-5 cm, apex acuminate. Inflorescences racemose; rachis 40 cm long, laxely several-flowered. Floral bracts ovate, apex acuminate, half as long or less than half as long as the ovary. Pedicel and ovary 3 cm long, curved, almost rostrate. Flowers resupinate, c. 2 cm across. Dorsal sepal ovate, 1.1 cm by 0.5 mm, concave, apex obtuse. Lateral sepals deflexed, obliquely ovate, c. 1.1 cm long, apex narrowly obtuse, shortly apiculate. Petals subpatent-ascending, obliquely falcate-lanceolate, 1.2 cm long, apex narrowly obtuse. Lip 3-lobed, spurred; lateral lobes strongly divergent, linear, 1.3 cm long, narrowing to the apex, at apex abruptly rolled inwards; mid-lobe linear, 1.2 cm long, narrowing to the apex, knee-like recurved, apex narrowly obtuse; spur pendulous, cylindric, subincurved, 2 cm long, a little widened in apical third. Column with low, broadly obtuse rostellum. Stigmatophores very short, obtuse. Antherchannels porrect, short. (After Schlechter, 1905).

Colours: Sepals and petals greenish, lip yellow.

Habitat: Terrestrial in hill forest. Altitude 700 m.

Flowering time in the wild: April.

Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).

Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 347-600M.JPG

Cultivation: Warm-intermediate growing terrestrial, keep in shade.

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