Glomera noroma (P.Royen) J.M.H. Shaw

Glomera noroma (P.Royen) J.M.H. Shaw, Alp. Fl. New Guinea 2:650 (1979)- Type: Schodde 1767 (holotype, L; isotype BRI, A)

Growth form Epiphytic, erect, much branched, slender, up to 50 cm high. Rhizome ca. 1-2 mm in diameter. Roots filiform, flexible, glabrous. Stem cylindrical, glabrous, branches slightly pendulous at their tip, proliferously leafed, completely covered by leaf sheaths. Leaf linear, erect to erect-patent, coriaceous, glabrous, midrib grooved above, prominent below, lateral nerves 3-5 on either side of midrib, only prominent on underside, margin irregularly crenulate; apex unequal 2-lobed, both lobes obtuse; base ovately widened; lamina 2.5-5.2 cm long, 0.2-0.5 cm wide; sheath tubular, warty mainly in apical half, ribbed, 0.2-3 cm long; apex toothed, with bristled margin, bristles 0.1-0.2 cm long. Inflorescences terminal, one-flowered, when young enveloped by a spathe. Spathe widely ellipsoid, warty on outside on the ribs only, 5-8-nerved, midrib slightly crested, apex obtuse, apiculate, 1.7-2 cm long, 0.6-0.97 cm wide; floral bracts transparent, thin, ellipsoid, 4-nerved, punctate, apex obtuse, 1.7 cm long, 1 cm wide. Flowers upright, glabrous. Median sepal oblong-ovate, glabrous, 5-nerved at base, 9-nerved in higher parts, punctate, apex rounded, conoid-apiculate, 1.8-1.9 cm long, 0.6-0.65 cm wide. Lateral sepals not enclosing the spur, free, falcate-ovate, 9-nerved, base oblong-widened, apex obtuse, conoid-apiculate, 1.7-2.2 cm long, 0.55-0.6 cm wide. Petal oblong-ovate, 5-nerved at base, 9-nerved in higher parts, glabrous, apex rounded, conoid-apiculate, 1.7 cm long, 0.5 cm wide. Lip adnate to the base of the column, free part triangular, 3-lobed, 7-nerved; epichile obtuse, midrib raised above, with brown glands on either side in an apical triangle; hypochile spurred; spur narrowly clavate, glabrous, apex 2-lobed, shallowly and broadly grooved above, 1.5-2.3 cm long. Column stout, slightly curved, 0.3 cm long, 0.35 cm wide; clinandrium crenulate-dentate; stelidia not seen. Anther not seen; pollinia not seen; stigma  not seen; viscidium not seen. Ovary narrowly clavate, glabrous, 3-ribbed, each double one, 2.1-2.3 cm long. Capsule not seen.

Distribution – Papua New Guinea.

Habitat and Ecology - Epiphyte in upper montane forest of Mt. Giluwe. Altitude 3170 m. Flowering season not known.

Notes -  1. Flowers green.

2. The epithet noroma refers to the local name of the species in the Mendi Language.

3. Specimen observed: Schodde 1767.

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