Saccoglossum papuanum

Saccoglossum papuanum Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1912) 684

Type: Schlechter 17962 (syn B, lost, K); 19015 (syn B, lost); 19120 (syn B, lost; K)

Epiphyte, erect or spreading, 13-25 cm long. Rhizome stem-like; covered with imbricate sheaths. Roots filiform, elongated, flexuose, glabrous. Pseudobulbs 2-3 cm apart, parallel to the rhizome, oblong, compressed, 1-1.5 by 0.4-0.6 cm near the middle; 1-leaved. Leaves erect or erect-patent, ovate-elliptic or broadly ovate, subacute, glabrous, 4-5 by 2-3.6 cm below the middle. Inflorescences, 1-flowered, fascicled, opening in succession; peduncle glabrous, as long as the pseudobulb, with a few small peduncle-scales. Floral bracts very small, ovate, much shorter than the ovary. Pedicel and ovary glabrous, c. 1.3 cm long. Flowers erect-patent, glabrous. Median sepal ovate-lanceolate, subacute, 0.9 cm long. Lateral sepals obliquely elliptic, apiculate, as long as the median sepal. Petals obliquely oblong, obtuse, 0.65 cm long. Lip sac-shaped, broadly obtuse, 0.8 cm high, mouth 0.7 cm diam.; in front incised. Column curved, glabrous, 0.3 cm long, thickened at base; clinandrium divided on either side in 5 subulate segments. Anther elliptic-cucullate, keeled-umbonate, glabrous; base cordate. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)

Colours: Flowers whitish yellow. Petals light brown. Lip white, inside at the base with red stripes.

Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 500-2300 m.

Flowering time in the wild: January, April, July, December.

Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).

Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea; see map 619-3M.jpg.

Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.

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