Glomera pungens (Schltr.) J.J.Sm., Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg 2(8):14 (1912)–
Glossorhyncha pungens Schltr., Feddes Repert Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih 1:314 (1914) – Type : Schlechter 18024 (isotype, E)
Growth form Epiphyte, pendulous, up to 20 cm high. Rhizome ca 2-3 mm in diameter. Roots filiform, filiform, flexible, glabrous. Stem very much branched, cylindrical, proliferously leafed, internode not yet measured. Leaf subulate, carnose, 2.5-3.5 cm long, 1.5-2.5 mm wide; apex acute, pungent; base thin, glabrous; sheath tight, lucid, striped, sparsely punctate; apex without tooth, margin glabrous. Inflorescences 1-flowered, when young enveloped by a spathe. Spathe broadly elliptic, apiculate, sparsely punctate, 0.40 cm long, 0.35 cm wide; floral bract transparent, broadly ovate, apiculate, 3-nerved, 0.39 cm long, 0.32 cm wide. Flower upright, glabrous. Median sepal elliptic, 0.5 cm long, 0.26 cm wide ; apex obtuse, minutely apiculate. Lateral sepal oblong, decurrent, 0.51 cm long, 0.34 cm wide; apex acute, base dilated along the front margin, decurrent. Petal broadly elliptic, 0.5 cm long, 0.35 cm wide; apex obtuse, base oblique. Lip square-oblong, 0.3 cm long, 0.2 cm wide; epichile broadly obtuse, brownish color, slightly thickened; hypochile obtuse, 7-nerved, spurred; spur 0.2 cm long, 0.2 cm wide. Column glabrous, with column foot; apex curved inward; clinandrium triangular, obtuse, sub-lobulate; stelidia not seen. Anther broadly cucullate, obtusely umbonate, in front somehow notched, ca. 0.22 cm long, 0.20 cm wide; pollinia pear-shaped, ca 2 mm long, 1.25 mm wide; viscidium present. Ovary cylindric, glabrous, 0.5 cm long. Capsule not seen.
Distribution - Papua New Guinea.
Habitat and Ecology – Epiphyte in the montane forest of Mt. Finisterre, Mt. Silisi to Mt. Mange. Altitude 1000-2300 m. Flowering in July in the wild and in August in the greenhouse in Leiden.
Notes - 1. Sepals and petals white lip grass green with a grey apex separated from the green parts by a narrow creamy white band. Column white, stigma green. Anther grey with a white blotch at the base. Pollinia light yellow. Leaf sheaths creamy white with green veins and brownish scale hairs. Fragrant? Check in Hortus.
3. The epithet pungens refers to the sharp rigid point of the apex of the leaves.
4. Specimen observed HBL 20030329 (L 4163259).