Oberonia longitepala J.J.Wood, Kew Bull. 32 (1978) 449, fig. 1
Type: Craven & Schodde 1047 (holo K; iso AMES, A, BO, BRI, CANB, CHR, L, LAE)
Epiphyte, up to c. 38 cm tall. Roots many, glabrous. Lower part of the stem covered with scarious sheaths. Leaves fleshy, equitant, distichous, not jointed at the base, narrowly lanceolate, falcate, acute, margins membranous towards the sheathing base, to c. 13 by 0.3 cm. Inflorescence dense, to c. 22 cm long, the flowers almost arranged in whorls, each whorl with up to 6 flowers. Floral bracts scarious, ovate, acuminate, margins erose, 0.4 by 0.2 cm. Ovary 0.15 cm long. Dorsal sepal subulate, acute, 0.6 cm long, to 0.08 cm broad, broadest near the base, 1-nerved. Lateral sepals similar to dorsal sepal. Petals subulate, acute, 0.55 cm long, to 0.04 cm broad, 1-nerved. Lip 3-lobed, 0.3 cm long, 0.15 cm broad at the base, with 3 indistinct, longitudinal, median nerves extending from base to apex; lateral lobes obliquely triangular, apex rounded; mid-lobe lanceolate, apex acute, 0.2 cm long. Column 0.05 cm long; 0.04 cm broad. Anther cap 0.02 cm long, 0.03 cm broad. Pollinia 4. (After Wood, 1978)
Colours: Leaves dull mid-green. Flower yellow(-orange)-green.
Habitat: Epiphyte in hill and montane forest, sometimes locally common in secondary forest; 525-1800 m.
Flowering time in the wild: January, March, May, June.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Indonesia); Papua New Guinea. See map: 485-209M.JPG.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.
Notes: Very distinct because of its 'gigantic' flowers (for a member of this species).