Thelasis gautierensis J.J.Sm., Nova Guinea 12, 4 (1916) 432, pl. 164, fig. 307
Type: Gjellerup 876 (p.p.) (holo BO)
Stem short, densely c. 8-leaved. Leaves erect-patent, distichous, strap-shaped, unequally obtusely 2-lobed, at the base conduplicate, articulated, mid-rib when dried grooved above, prominent below, probably fleshy, when dried 9-10.5 by 0.85-1 cm; sheaths overlapping, conduplicate, in the basal part dilated, clasping the stem and with membranous margins, 2.3-3 cm long. Inflorescences axillary, laxly many-flowered; peduncle 12.5 cm long; peduncle-scales small, c. 3, tubular, acuminate, to 0.65 cm long; rachis angular, 3.5 cm long (when not fully developed). Floral bracts appressed, at the base dilated, gradually long acuminate, concave, 1-nerved, somewhat fleshy, to 0.3 cm long. Flowers turned to all sides, somewhat fleshy, 0.3 cm long. Sepals almost parallel, outside very minutely furfuraceous-punctate. Median sepal ovate, narrowed towards the apex, obtuse, concave, 1-nerved, 0.25 by 0.18 cm. Lateral sepals obliquely ovate-triangular, narrowly obtuse, apiculate, concave, 1-nerved, mid-rib dorsally and obtusely prominent, 0.26 cm long, along the lower margins 0.33 cm long, at the base 0.2 cm wide; mentum very short rounded. Petals ovate, obtuse, concave, 1-nerved, thinner textured than the sepals, 0.23 by 0.14 cm. Lip parallel to the column, concave, underneath convex with a longitudinal groove, 3-lobed, 3-nerved, in the basal part with a subquadrangular, in front vanishing and slightly trilobulate thickening, when flattened in outline rhombic, 0.24 cm long, across the lateral lobes 0.23 cm wide; lateral lobes erect, semiorbicular; mid-lobe porrect, concave, semiorbicular, apiculate, 0.08 cm long, 0.13 cm wide. Column dorsally convex, in front concave, 0.16 cm long, at the apex short, obtuse; auricles triangular, acute, parallel; stigma transverse; rostellum narrowly triangular, surpassing the auricles. Anther cucullate, cordate-ovate, acute, slightly over 0.1 cm long; pollinia 8, flattened. Ovary obconical, obtusely triangular, 0.18 cm long; pedicel thinner, 0.15 cm long. (After Smith, 1916)
Colours: Not recorded.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lowland forest; 800 m.
Flowering time in the wild: November.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Indonesia). See map: 686-24M.JPG.