Glomera pilifera (Schltr.) J.J.Sm.

Glomera pilifera (Schltr.) J.J.Sm., Bull. Dép. Agric. Indes Néerl. 15:28 (1908)

Glossorhyncha pilifera Schltr., in K.Schum. & Lauterb., Nachtr. Fl. Deutsch. Schutzgeb. Südsee 131 (1905)-Type: Schlechter 14557 (holotype, B lost)

Growth form Epiphyte, up to 20 cm high. Rhizome not seen. Roots long, filiform, flexible, glabrous. Stem decumbent to pendulous, branching, cylindrical, slightly compressed towards apex, proliferously leafed, completely covered by leaf sheaths. Leaf  narrowly lanceolate to lanceolate-elliptic, patent to erect-patent, sub-coriaceous; apex unequal 2-lobed; lamina 0.6-1 cm long, 0.2-0.3 cm wide; sheath tight,  sparsely warty; apex toothed, with bristled margins, bristles white, patent to erect. Inflorescences terminal, one-flowered, when young enveloped by a spathe. Spathe not seen; floral bracts transparent, thin, cucullate, as long as the ovary, with black dots, sparsely warty. Flowers upright, glabrous, 0.7 cm across. Median sepal oblong-ligulate, apex acute, 0.4 cm long, 0.14 cm wide. Lateral sepals obliquely subfalcate-oblong, base widened, apex acute, not cohering, 0.4 cm long, 0.16 cm wide. Petal obliquely obovate-spathulate, subfalcate, erect-patent, apex obtuse, 0.4 cm long, 0.18. Lip broadly rhomboid-ovate, concave, 0.2 cm long, 0.2 cm wide; epichile obtuse; hypochile spurred; spur saccate, short, apex obtuse. Column short; clinandrium dorsally dentate; stelidia not seen. Anther orbicular, apex elongated, ascending, obtuse, 0.1 cm long, 0.08 cm wide; pollinia 4, pear-shaped, 0.08 cm long; rostellum large, obtuse; stigma not seen; viscidium not seen. Ovary not seen. Capsule not seen.

Distribution –Papua New Guinea.

Habitat and Ecology - Epiphyte in hill forest. Altitude 600 m. Flowering season not known.

Notes -  1. Flowers white.

2. The epithet pilifera refers to the hairy leaf sheaths of the species (pili means hairs and-fera means bearing in Latin),

3. Specimen observed: Schlechter 14557.

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