Taeniophyllum arachnites J.J.Sm., Bull. Dép. Agric. Indes Néerl. 19 (1908) 36
Type: Versteeg 1201 (holo BO)
Stem very short; roots numerous, linear, flexuose, longitudinally ribbed above, 17-37 by 0.15-0.45 cm. Inflorescence many-flowered, producing flowers for a long time, glabrous, peduncle filiform, 8-10 cm long; peduncle-scales minute. tubular, distant; rachis strongly flexuose, to 2 cm long, internodes 0.2 cm long. Bracts in two alternating rows, patent, clasping the rachis, small, triangular, acute, strongly concave, 0.13 cm long. Flowers arising singly in succession. Sepals linear-caudate, concave, 3-nerved. Median sepal 1.5 by 0.18 cm. Lateral sepals somewhat falcate, 1.6 by 0.17 cm. Petals at the base lanceolate-ovate, caudate, somewhat falcate, concave, 3-nerved, 1.4 by 0.25 cm, very shortly ciliate. Lip spurred, 3-lobed, concave; spur pointing backwards, making an acute angle with the ovary, obovoid, dorsally straight, ventrally convex, apex truncate, constricted at the base, 0.2 cm long, 0.16 cm diam.; blade concave, at the base near the mouth of the spur with 2 minute calli, when spread 1.1 by 0.36 cm; lateral lobes erect, surpassing the column, minute, rounded; mid-lobe porrect, at the base subovate, gradually long subulate-acuminate, concave, 0.87 cm long, at the base 0.23 cm wide. Column very short, 0.07 cm long; rostellum elongate, bidentate. Ovary 6-grooved, 0.4 cm long. (After Smith, 1909 and Smith, 1916)
Colours: Flower pale yellowish.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lowland forest; 40 m.
Flowering time in the wild: May, June.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Indonesia). See map: 676-12M.JPG.
Cultivation: Warm growing epiphyte.