Glomera bismarckiensis J.J.Sm.

Glomera bismarckiensis J.J.Sm., Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg, 2(8):13 (1912)

Glossorhyncha acicularis Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih 1:309(1912) – Type : Schlechter 19463 (holotype B, lost; isotype K)

Growth form Epiphyte, erect or patent, slender, up to 40 cm tall. Rhizome ca. 1-1.5 mm in diameter. Roots filiform, long, flexible, glabrous. Stem branched, slender, laxly leafy, entirely covered by sheaths. Leaf subulate-acicular, cylindrical, glabrous; apex acute; lamina 2.5-6 cm long, 0.1 cm wide; sheath tubular, nerves somewhat raised, striate; apex toothed, bristled margin. Inflorescences terminal, one-flowered, when young enveloped by a spathe. Spathe broadly elliptic, cucullate-clasping, apex apiculate; floral bracts elliptic Flowers upside-down, glabrous, 0.34 cm across. Median sepal oblong, 0.5 cm long, 0.27 cm wide; apex apiculate. Lateral sepals oblique, 0.53 cm long, 0.25 cm wide; apex apiculate; base dilated along the front margin. Petal obliquely obovate-oblong, 0.49 cm long, 0.25 cm wide; apex broadly obtuse, retuse. Lip, subquadrate-concave, 0.25 cm long; epichile broadly obtuse, subtruncate; hypochile spurred; spur broadly oblongoid, broadly obtuse, 0.25 cm long, 0.2 cm wide. Column 0.14 cm long; clinandrium rounded, unequally crenulate. Anther subquadrate-cucullate, obtusely umbonate, glabrous, in front ascending; pollinia 4, pear-shaped, 1.5 mm long, 0.7 mm wide; viscidium absent. Ovary cylindrical, glabrous, 0.5 cm long. Capsule not seen.

Distribution – Papua New Guinea.

Habitat and Ecology - Epiphyte in montane forest. Altitude 700 m. Flowering in May in the wild.  

Notes -  1. Flowers whitish fleshy-coloured, with yellowish lip tip

2. The epithet bismarckiensis refers to the location where the specimen was found: Bismarck island.

3. Specimen observed: Schlechter 19463 (Isotype, K).

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