Glomera latipetala (Schltr.) J.J.Sm., Bull.Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg 2(8):13 (1912)
Glossorhyncha latipetala Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1:303 (1912)- Type: Schlechter 19470 (holotype, B lost; isotype BM, AMES)
Growth form Epiphyte, suberect or erect-patent, 10-20 cm high. Rhizome not seen. Roots filiform, flexible, glabrous. Stem branched, compressed, proliferously leafed, entirely covered by leaf sheaths. Leaf ligulate, erect-patent, glabrous; apex strongly oblique, obtuse; base sub-cuneate; lamina 1.3-2.5 cm long, 0.25-0.3 cm wide; sheath closely appressed, compressed, longitudinally striate-nervose; apex toothed, with bristled margin. Inflorescences terminal, one-flowered, when young enveloped by a spathe. Spathe broadly elliptic, apiculate, outside with sparsely punctate, cucullate-clasping; floral bracts transparent, thin, smaller than spathe. Flowers upright, glabrous. Median sepal oblong, apex obtuse with minute apiculum, 0.6 cm long, 0.26 cm wide. Lateral sepals oblique, base widened along the front margin, decurrent, 0.48 cm long, 0.24 cm wide. Petal above the narrower base broadly obovate, retuse, oblique, 0.58-0.7 cm long, 0.3 cm wide. Lip very broadly elliptic, 0.3 cm long, 0.25 cm wide; epichile narrowly obtuse, sub acuminate; hypochile spurred; spur oblongoid, obtuse, 0.2 cm long, 0.15 cm wide. Column 2 mm long, glabrous; clinandrium triangular, unequally several-dentate; stelidia not seen. Anther very broadly cucullate, obtuse projection, in front ascending, broadly obtuse, glabrous, 2 mm long, 1.46 mm wide; rostellum not seen; pollinia 4, pear-shaped, 1.6 mm long, 0.8 mm wide; stigma not seen; viscidium not seen. Ovary cylindric, glabrous, 0.4 cm long. Capsule not seen.
Distribution – Papua New Guinea.
Habitat and Ecology - Epiphyte in montane forest. Altitude 600 m. Flowering in May in the wild.
Notes - 1. Flowers white with a fine grey-green dotted patch on the lip. Anther light brown.
2. The epithet latipetala refers to the broad petals (lati means broad in Latin and petala refers to the petals)
3. Specimen observed: Schlechter 19470.