Glomera subnivalis J.M.H. Shaw

Glomera subnivalis  J.M.H. Shaw, 

Glossorhyncha subalpina P.Royen., Alp. Fl. New Guinea 2:615 (1979) – Type: Brass 9212 (holotype L; isotype BRI, BM, AMES)


Growth form Epiphytic, scrambling, much branched, up to 80 cm long. Rhizome 2 mm in diameter. Root filiform, flexible, glabrous, ca 3.5 cm long. Stem slender, branched, cylindric, slightly compressed toward tip, glabrous, internodes 0.4-2.5 cm long. Leaf linear, erect, glabrous, coriaceous, midrib grooved above, except for the apical part, the groove lined by 1 ridge on either side, underside rounded; apex obtuse; lamina 1.4-2.3 cm long, 0.1 cm wide; sheath tight, tubular, warty; apex without tooth, with bristled margin, bristle 0.1-0.2 cm long, bristles unequal, often sigmoid, each scattered warty. Inflorescences terminal, one-flowered, when young enveloped by a spathe. Spathe oblong, transparent, glabrous, 9-nerved, mid-rib irregularly crenulate, sparsely warty, with brown dots, 1.4-1.5 cm long, 0.55 cm wide, apex acute; floral bracts oblong, thin, transparent, glabrous, 4-nerved, with brown dots, 1.4 cm long, 0.5 cm wide, apex apiculate. Flower upright. Median sepal linear, 5-nerved at base, 9-nerved in higher parts, with silver spots, 1.5-1.7 cm long, 0.20-0.3 cm wide; apex acute; base ovate. Lateral sepal falcate, free, linear, 3-nerved at base, 5-8-nerved in higher parts, with silver spots, 1.85-1.9 cm long, 0.3 cm wide; apex acute, conoid-apiculate; base ovate, obliquely widened, with appendage; appendage oblong-ovate, 0.3 cm long, 0.1 cm wide, obtuse. Petals elliptic-oblong, 3-nerved at base, 5-nerved in higher parts, 1.6 cm long, 0.2 cm wide; apex acute. Lip ovate, adnate to the base of the column, 0.42-0.45 cm long, 0.45-0.49 cm wide; epichile 3-lobed, truncate, with brown glands in narrow ovate patch on inside in apical grooved part, 5-nerved; hypochile spurred; spur cylindrical, glabrous, 1.3-1.5 cm long, slightly compressed, apex unequally 2-lobed. Column stout, without column foot, 0.4 cm long; clinandrium irregularly lobed. Anther not seen. Ovary cylindrical, glabrous, 3-ribbed, each rib a double one, 1.5 cm long. Capsule not seen.

Distribution –Indonesia.

Habitat and Ecology – Epiphyte in upper montane forest along lake Habbema.  Altitude 3225 m. Flowering time unknown.

Notes - 1. Flowers green.

 2. The epithet subnivalis refers to snow-covered habitat where the species was found in alpine vegetational zone. 

3. Specimen observed: L0061281.

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