Glomera fransseniana J.J.Sm.

Glomera fransseniana J.J.Sm., Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg 2(13):60 (1914)- Type: Pulle (Versteeg)2404  (holotype, BO spirits specimen 720.13; isotype L)

Growth form Epiphyte, up to 1 m long. Rhizome not seen. Roots filiform, flexible, glabrous. Stem long, rooting in basal part, strongly branched, cylindrical, laterally compressed in the upper part, proliferously leafed, completely covered by leaf sheaths, in basal part 0.33 cm in diameter, branches patent, 2.8 cm long, basal internodes 2.75-3.25 cm long, on branches 0.6-1.4 cm long. Leaf ovate-lanceolate, patent, gradually narrowed towards the apex, apical part with slightly irregular margins, carnose; apex unequal 2-lobes, both lobes acute or sometimes longer one obtuse; base obliquely cuneate, shortly petiolate-contracted, half-twisted; lamina 1.5-4 cm long, 0.6-0.65 cm wide; sheath tubular, compressed, warty, punctate; apex with tooth, with bristled margin, bristles 0.15-0.30 cm long. Inflorescences terminal, one-flowered, when young enveloped by a spathe. Spathe inflated-tubular, finely warty, punctate, 9-nerved, 1.6-2.1 cm long, 0.75 cm wide; floral bracts transparent, thin, obtuse, 5-nerved, warty, 1.4-2.25 cm long, 0.85 cm wide. Flowers upright, glabrous, sepals and petals reflexed, convex, carnose, 2.8 cm long. Median sepal lanceolate, narrowed towards the apex, 3-nerved at the base, 5-nerved in the upper part, apex apiculate, obtuse, conical apiculate, 1.6-2.1 cm long, 0.25-0.55 cm wide. Lateral sepals obliquely lanceolate narrowed towards the apex, apex obtuse, long apiculate, base shortly fused and dilated into auricle-like, obliquely triangular-oblong, rounded, concave lobule that enclosed the spur, 3-nerved, 1.5-2.17 cm long, 0.40 cm wide, including lobule 2.3 cm long, 0.55 cm wide. Petal lanceolate narrowed towards the apex, apex obtuse, 3-nerved, 1.5-1.87 cm long, 0.35-0.5 cm wide. Lip at base long adnate to the column, cucullate, blade making obtuse angle with spur, to the apex of ovary 0.62 cm long, to apex of the spur 2.6 cm long, when flattened transversely rhombic, 11-nerved, with silver dots, 0.6 cm long, 0.8 cm wide; epichile obtuse, thickened, with brown glands; hypochile spurred; spur appressed to the ovary, thin, at apex slightly clavate, apex obtuse, 1.8-2 cm long. Column in basal half adnate to the lip, dorsally convex, apex crenulate, 0.35-0.37 cm long; clinandrium not seen; stelidia triangular-tooth-like. Anther cucullate, suborbicular, 0.16 cm wide, apex with membranous margin, retuse, thecae convex, connective between the thecae slightly triangular-conical-thickened; pollinia not seen; stigma  with lower margin extended, rounded; viscidium not seen. Ovary pedicellate, clavate, punctate, 2.1-2.5 cm long. Capsule not seen.

Distribution – Indonesia.

Habitat and Ecology - Epiphyte in upper montane forest. Altitude 2800-3000 m. Flowering in February in the wild.

Notes - 1. Flowers pale pinkish brown.

2. The epithet fransseniana refers to A. Franssen Herdeschee, who was a Dutch military expedition chief visiting  mount Wilhelmina,  where this species was collected.

3. Specimen observed: Pulle (Versteeg) 2404 .

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