Taeniophyllum pubicarpum

Taeniophyllum pubicarpum Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 1031

Type: Schlechter 16542 (holo B, lost; iso AMES, BO, E, K, L, MO, NSW)

Epiphyte without leaves, very small. Roots flexuose, flattened, to 7 cm long, 0.1-0.13 cm wide. Inflorescence at the apex densely few-flowered, scarcely more than 1 cm high, peduncle hispid. Floral bracts deltoid, apiculate, much shorter than the ovary. Flowers glabrous except for the ovary, very delicate. Sepals oblong, obtuse, 0.2 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique. Petals obliquely oblong, obtuse, almost as long as the sepals. Lip reniform, at the apex notched and minutely apiculate, 0.35 cm long, above the base 0.45 cm wide; spur oblongoid, obtuse, half as long as the lip. Column very short; rostellum large, hammer-shaped. Anther oblongoid-cucullate, acutely rostrate; pollinia obliquely oblongoid; stipe twice as long, at the base thin, towards the apex a little widened; viscidium narrowly lanceolate, acute, turned backwards. Ovary clavate, minutely hispid, 0.2 cm long; fruit obliquely oblongoid, puberulous, 0.4 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)

Colours: Flower white with 4 to 6 small violet-pink spots on the lip.

Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 900 to 1000 m.

Flowering time in the wild: September, December.

Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).

Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 676-169M.JPG.

Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.

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