Trichotosia molliflora (Schltr.) P.F.Hunt, Kew Bull. 26 (1971) 180
Basionym: Eria molliflora
Epiphytic, pendent, several-stemmed, stout. Stems fascicled, many-leaved, c. 1 m long, to 1 cm diam., entirely covered with very shortly fine tomentose leaf-sheaths, unbranched. Leaves subpatent, obliquely oblong-ligulate, 15-18 by 4-5.5 cm, obliquely and obtusely acuminate, very shortly fine tomentose, glabrous below. Inflorescence pendent, to 33 cm long, laxly many-flowered, shortly pedunculate, softly and shortly fine tomentose. Floral bracts elliptic, obtusely acuminate, usually a little longer than the ovary. Flowers outside softly fine tomentose. Sepals ovate-lanceolate, c. 0.9 cm long, subobtuse. Lateral sepals falcate-oblique, at the base in front dilated; mentum 0.4 cm long, obtuse. Petals obliquely ovate-lanceolate, 0.7 cm long, obtuse, sparsely ciliate. Lip (peloric) broadly ovate, 0.7 by 0.4 cm, obtusely acuminate, outside and along the margins pilose, inside glabrous. Column c. 0.3 cm long, dorsally pilose; lateral lobes rounded; foot rather long. Ovary cylindrical, 0.6 cm long, softly tomentose, sessile. (After Schlechter, 1923)
Colours: Flowers brownish flesh colour.
Habitat: Epiphyte in hill forest; 400 m.
Flowering time in the wild: November.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 704-66M.JPG.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.