Liparis elegans Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl. (1830) 30
Type: Wallich 1943 (holo K)
Rhizome short. Pseudobulbs closely spaced, elongated-ovoid, in cross-section elliptic, carnose, 2.5-4 by 0.85-1.35 cm, 2-leaved, initially at the base with a few distichous, erect-patent, conduplicate, triangular, acute, sometimes partly leaf-like, to 4 cm long sheaths that become larger upwards. Leaves separated by a 0.25-0.9 cm long internode, erect, recurved-divergent, strap-shaped-lanceolate, acute, at the base conduplicate, mid-rib grooved above, keeled below, thinly coriaceous, 7.75-11 by 1.5-2 cm; sheaths very short. Inflorescence erect, laxly c. 20-flowered; spathe conduplicate, lanceolate, keeled, to 1.2 cm long; peduncle subterete, 5.75-6.25 cm long, with several small, distant, appressed, subulate scales; rachis angular, 8 cm long. Floral bracts appressed to the pedicel, lanceolate-triangular, acute, concave, 0.4 cm long. Flowers very small, 0.56 cm wide, with reflexed sepals and convex petals. Median sepal widely patent, narrowly oblong, obtuse, c. 0.4 by 0.13 cm. Lateral sepals obliquely recurved, obliquely oblong, obtuse, 0.35 by 0.16 cm. Petals widely patent, at the apex recurved, obliquely linear, obtuse, 0.36 by 0.06 cm. Lip erect, at a little below the middle sharply reflexed, at the base truncate, only attached in the middle; basal part concave, on either side convex, with two very small calli above the base; apical part convex, broadly obtuse, retuse, with a small tooth in the sinus, papillose, at the apex finely erose-denticulate, lip in total when flattened oblong, 0.33 by 0.15 cm. Column rather slender, curved, at the apex truncate, on either side of the stigma dilated into a rounded lobule, the lobules parallel, column at the base somewhat dilated and dorsally compressed, 0.25 cm long; stigma semi-elliptic; rostellum triangular, acute. Anther cucullate, transversely elliptic, at the apex incurved and rounded, 0.06 cm wide. Ovary pedicellate, , 0.45 cm long. (After Smith, 1915, as Liparis indifferens J.J.Sm.)
Colours: Pseudobulbs green. Sheaths pale green. Leaves on both sides green, shiny. Spathe pale green. Peduncle, rachis, and floral bracts pale green. Sepals and petals pale green, lip pale ochrish, in the middle reddish. Column pale greenish. Anther pale green with white margins. Ovary pale green.
Habitat: Epiphyte, lithophyte or terrestrial in lower montane forest; 600 to 1000 m.
Flowering time in the wild: February, March, April, May.
Distribution: Malesia (Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra, Borneo, New Guinea, Philippines, Anambas, Mentawai and Riau Is.), Thailand.
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Indonesia); Papua New Guinea. See map: 416-148M.JPG.
Cultivation: Warm to intermediate growing epiphyte, lithophyte or terrestrial.