Taeniophyllum quaquaversum

Taeniophyllum quaquaversum Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 1034

Type: Schlechter 20109 (holo B, lost; iso L, NSW)

Epiphyte without leaves. Roots slightly flexuose, flattened, up to 30 cm long, 0.2 cm wide. Inflorescence to 17 cm long, densely muricate hispid; rachis very short turned to all sides, very densely several-flowered. Floral bracts lanceolate, acuminate, almost as long as the ovary. Flowers glabrous except for the ovary. Sepals oblong-ligulate, obtuse, 0.4 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique. Petals obliquely elliptic, broadly obtuse, somewhat shorter than the sepals. Lip in outline elliptic, as long as the sepals, 3-lobed in apical third, with a linear basal cavity decurrent on the mid-lobe; lateral lobes short, triangular, obtuse; mid-lobe semi-oblong, obtuse; spur cylindrical, in the apical half somewhat dilated, subacute, 0.85 cm long. Column very short; rostellum large, hammer-shaped. Anther square-cucullate, rostrate; pollinia obliquely obovoid; stipe twice as long, at the base thin; towards the apex widened; viscidium turned backwards, narrowly lanceolate, acute, large. Ovary pedicellate, muricate-papillose 0.6 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)

Colours: Flower golden yellow with lighter spur.

Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 800 to 1100 m.

Flowering time in the wild: July, September.

Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).

Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 676-174M.JPG.

Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.

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