Glomera brachychaete (Schltr.) J.J.Sm., Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg, 2(8):13 (1912)
Glossorhyncha brachychaete Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih 1:304(1912) – Type : Schlechter 17881;17985 (holotype B, lost; isotype AMES,BO,K)
Growth form Epiphyte, pendulous, up to 80 cm high. Rhizome ca. 1-1.5 mm in diameter. Roots filiform, long, flexible, glabrous. Stem branched, compressed, proliferously leafed, entirely covered by sheaths. Leaf erect-patent, narrowly lanceolate, glabrous; apex oblique, subacute; base subpetiolate-narrowed; lamina 3-6.5 cm long, 4.5-8 cm wide; sheath tubular, compressed, shiny, glabrous; apex toothed, obtusely truncate, with short bristles on the margin. Inflorescences terminal, one-flowered, when young enveloped by a spathe. Spathe cucullate clasping, glabrous, apex obtuse; floral bracts thin, transparent, smaller than spathe. Flowers upside-down, glabrous. Median sepal oblong, 0.55 cm long, 0.28 cm wide, apex obtuse, minutely apiculate, base somewhat dilated. Lateral sepals oblique, 0.55 cm long, 0.23 cm wide in the middle, up to 0.41 cm at base, apex obtuse, minute apiculum, base widened along the front margin, decurrent. Petal obliquely quadrate-oblong, 0.64 cm long, 0.3 cm wide; apex truncate-broadly obtuse. Lip subquadrate, 0.25 cm long, 0.25 cm wide; epichile truncate-broadly obtuse, small apiculum; hypochile spurred; spur oblongoid-subquadrate, apex retuse, 0.25 cm long, 0.2 cm wide. Column ca. 0.13 cm long; clinandrium dentate, broadly triangular. Anther not seen; pollinia not seen; viscidium not seen. Ovary cylindrical, glabrous, 0.5 cm long. Capsule not seen.
Distribution – Papua New Guinea.
Habitat and Ecology - Epiphyte in montane forest of mount Finisterre. Altitude 900-1000 m. Flowering in April and July in the wild.
Notes - 1. Flowers white with two dark spots on the lip consisting of fine dots.
2. The epithet brachychaete refers to the short hairs on the leaf sheaths of the species ( brachy means short and chaete refers to hairs/bristles).
3. Specimen observed: Schlechter 17985 (Isosyntype, BM).