Sarcochilus iboensis Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 966
Type: Schlechter 18974 (holo B, lost)
Epiphytic, erect; roots flexuose, glabrous. Stem c. 5 cm long, densely leafy, covered with the striate and rugulose leaf-sheaths, c. 0.5 cm diam. Leaves patent, linear, apex bidentate, gradually narrowed towards the base, 10-12 cm long, near the middle 1.1-1.4 cm wide. Inflorescences few, fascicled, with small scales, 1-flowered; peduncle very short. Floral bracts very small, much shorter than the ovary. Flower suberect, glabrous. Sepals oblong, subobtuse, 1.5 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique. Petals as long as the sepals, but a little narrower [‘shorter’]. Lip porrect, as long as the petals, lateral lobes square-oblong, broadly obtuse; mid-lobe very short, broadly obtuse; at the base of the lip with a large square callus in front of the mouth of the spur. Column narrowed at the base, glabrous. Ovary cylindrical, glabrous, c. 0.7 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)
Colours: Flowers white, lip violet-pink.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 500 to 1300 m.
Flowering time in the wild: February, April, July, December.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 625-104M.JPG.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.