Robiquetia hamata Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 985
Type: Schlechter 17113 (holo B, lost); para: Schlechter 19026 (B, lost)
Epiphytic, stout, pendent; roots flexuose, glabrous. Stem unbranched, stout, leafy, somewhat flattened, 1.3-1.8 cm diam. Leaves erect-patent, oblong-ligulate, obtusely and unequally bilobulate, 20-25 cm long, near the middle 3-3.5 cm wide. Inflorescence pendulous, as long as or slightly longer than the leaf, cylindrical, elongated, c. 2.2 cm diam.; peduncle with a few small scales, terete, c. 15 cm long. Floral bracts recurved, lanceolate, acuminate, clearly shorter than the ovary. Flowers patent, glabrous. Sepals oblong, obtuse, 0.55 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique. Petals obliquely elliptic, obtuse, a little shorter than the sepals. Lip 3-lobed, with the lobes as long as the petals; lateral lobes obliquely globose, erect, broadly obtuse; mid-lobe only a little longer, ovate-triangular, subacute; spur cylindrical, apex hooked, obtuse, c. 1.4 cm long. Column very short, subquadrangular. Anther broadly ovate-cucullate; pollinia ellipsoid; stipe almost three times shorter, towards the base gradually somewhat dilated; viscidium rounded, slightly broader than the stipe. Ovary cylindrical, minutely squamulose, c. 0.8 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)
Colours: Flowers reddish brown with darker spots.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 1000 to 1700 m.
Flowering time in the wild: January, February, March, May, August, December.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 617-22M.JPG.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.