Hippeophyllum micranthum

Hippeophyllum micranthum Schltr. in K.Schum. & Lauterb., Nachtr. Fl. Deutsch. Schutzgeb. Südsee (1905) 108

Type: Schlechter 13809 (holo B, lost)

Rhizome elongated, creeping, covered with short scales, roots elongated, glabrous. Stems distant, very short, 3-4-leaved. Leaves erect-patent to erect, bilaterally flattened, imbricating, articulated, falcate-linear to linear-lanceolate, coriaceous, apex acute. Inflorescence racemose, much longer than the leaves, densely covered with ovate-oblong scales. Floral bracts ovate-oblong, apex obtuse, clasping the ovary. Pedicel and ovary 0.25 cm long, cylindric. Flowers resupinated, minute. Dorsal sepal oblong, 0.15 cm long, reflexed, apex obtuse. Lateral sepals somewhat oblique. Petals patent, obliquely linear-ligulate, 0.15 cm long, apex obtuse. Lip 3-lobed, a little longer than the sepals, lateral lobes erect, narrow, obtuse; mid-lobe much larger, broadly ovate, very shortly acuminate; basal part ascending, abruptly geniculate-recurved in upper part. (After Schlechter, 1905).

Colours: Sepals and petals yellowish, lip green.

Habitat: Epiphyte in riverine forest. Altitude 100 m.

Flowering time in the wild: December.

Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).

Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Indonesia); Papua New Guinea. See map: 365-7M.JPG

Cultivation: Warm growing epiphyte, requires light shade.

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