Peristylus umbonatus (Schltr.) P.F.Hunt, Kew Bull. 26 (1971) 178
Basionym: Habenaria umbonata
Terrestrial, erect, unbranched, very slender, c. 40 cm high; tubers oblongoid; roots elongated, flexuose, shortly pilose; stem straight or nearly straight, in the basal third [i.e. below the inflorescence] 2- to 3-leaved. Leaves ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, glabrous, erect-patent, 5-6 cm long, near the middle c. 2 cm wide, with a very thin margin. Peduncle with a few lanceolate, acuminate, distant scales; rachis laxly c. 10- to 15-flowered. Flowers glabrous. Floral bracts erect, lanceolate, acuminate, glabrous, as long as the ovary. Median sepal ovate, obtuse, about 0.25 cm long. Lateral sepals deflexed, obliquely lanceolate-elliptic, apiculate, as long as the median sepal. Petals obliquely elliptic-rhombic, obtuse, in the basal third along the anterior margins adnate to the lip. Lip 3-lobed to near the base, about 0.25 cm long, lateral lobes linear-ligulate, obtuse, falcate; mid-lobe triangular, obtuse, as long as the lateral lobes, at the mouth of the spur with a low umbo; spur deflexed, about straight, cylindrical, in the middle somewhat widened. Anther at the apex slightly emarginate, anther channels very short. Rostellum rhombic, at the apex triangular; stigmatophores ascending, hardly longer than the anther channels; staminodes large, oblong. Ovary cylindrical, narrowed at both ends, glabrous. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)
Colours: Flowers green.
Habitat: Terrestrial in lower montane forest; 1300 m.
Flowering time in the wild: June.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 542-160M.JPG.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing terrestrial, requires shaded position.