Glomera subulata (Schltr.) J.J.Sm., Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg 2(8):13 (1912)
Glossorhyncha subulata Schltr. Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1:309 (1912)- Type: Schlechter 19494 (holotype, B lost)
Growth form Epiphyte, erect, up to 15 cm high. Rhizome not seen. Roots filiform, flexible, glabrous. Stem unbranched or sparsely branched, densely leafy, entirely covered by leaf-sheaths. Leaf subulate-linear, erect-patent or suberect, carnose, glabrous; apex narrowly obtuse or subacute; lamina 0.7-1 cm long, 0.1-0.13 cm wide; sheath tight clasping, striate with several thickened nerves; apex toothed, with long bristled margin. Inflorescences terminal, one-flowered, when young enveloped by a spathe. Spathe broadly elliptic, apiculate, cucullate-clasping, glabrous; floral bracts thin, transparent, similar but smaller than spathe. Flowers upright, glabrous. Median sepal oblong, subacute or apiculate, 0.6 cm long, 0.29 cm wide. Lateral sepals oblique, base dilated along the front margin, decurrent, 0.54 cm long, 0.23 cm wide. Petal obliquely elliptic-spathulate, broadly obtuse, longer than median sepal, 0.65 cm long, 0.23 cm wide. Lip broadly elliptic, 0.35 cm long, 0.3 cm wide; epichile narrowly obtuse; hypochile spurred; spur oblongoid-subquadrate, 0.2 cm long, 0.2 cm wide, apex broadly obtuse. Column 0.11 cm long; clinandrium broadly triangular, unequally few-dentate. Anther broadly cucullate, obtuse projection, in front ascending, broadly obtuse, glabrous, 0.23 cm long, 0.19 cm wide; rostellum not seen; pollinia 4, pear-shaped; stigma not seen; viscidium not seen. Ovary cylindric, glabrous, 0.5 cm long. Capsule not seen.
Distribution – Papua New Guinea.
Habitat and Ecology – Epiphyte in montane forest. Altitude 1300 m. Flowering in May in the wild.
Notes - 1. Flowers white with a round patch of fine grey-green dots on the tip of the lip; anther light brown.
2. The epithet subulata refers to the awl-shaped leaves of the species (subulate means awl-shaped in Latin).
3. Specimen observed: Schlechter 19494.