Hymenorchis serrata Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 997
Type: Schlechter 19137 (holo B, lost)
Epiphyte, erect, 4-5 cm high; roots filiform, glabrous; stem unbranched, densely leafy, entirely covered with the rugulose leaf-sheaths with fimbriate-lacerate margins, 0.2 cm diameter; leaves erect-patent, elliptic-lanceolate; apiculate, 0.8-1.5 cm long, near the middle 0.35-0.45 cm wide, margins sharply serrate; Inflorescence short, several-flowered, peduncle very short, with a few peduncle-scales; bracts elliptic, apiculate, serrate, 3-4 times shorter than the ovary. Flowers glabrous. Sepals elliptic-lanceolate, apiculate, margins very sharply serrate, 1.5 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique. Petals similar to and about as long as the sepals. Lip elliptic, deeply cordate; broadly obtuse, margins sharply serrate, 0.25 cm long, 0.18 cm wide, spur oblongoid, distinctly contracted at the throat, pointing downwards, sharply keeled, 0.5 cm long. Column short, narrowed at the base, rostellum suberect, bidentate. Anther quadrate-cucullate, apiculate. Ovary sharply triangular, 1.3 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)
Colours: Flower whitish, blade of lip green.
Habitat: Epiphyte in montane forest. Altitude 1300 m.
Flowering time in the wild: January.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 375-8M.JPG
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.