Glomera hunsteiniana (Schltr.) J.J.Sm.

Glomera hunsteiniana (Schltr.) J.J.Sm., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 66:171 (1934)

Glossorhyncha hunsteiniana Schltr., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 58:82 (1922) - TypeLedermann 51a  (holotype, B lost; isotype BM, K)

 

Growth form Epiphyte, shrub-like, low, erect or subpendent, up to 30 cm high. Rhizome ca. 1-2 mm in diameter. Roots filiform, flexible, glabrous. Stem slightly compressed, much-branched at base, proliferously leafed, completely covered by leaf sheaths, internodes  0.5-1 cm long, Leaf erect-patent, linear, carnose; apex unequally 2-lobes, both lobes obtuse; base narrowed; lamina 1.5-2 cm long, 0.15-0.25 cm wide; sheath tubular, striate, slightly wrinkled, glabrous; apex without tooth, with bristled margin, bristles 1 mm long. Inflorescences terminal, one-flowered, when young enveloped by a spathe. Spathe elliptic-cucullate, glabrous; floral bracts not seen. Flowers upright, glabrous. Median sepal elliptic-oblong, apex subacute, 0.65-0.7 cm long. Lateral sepals sub falcate, apex apiculate, fused. Petal obovate-spathulate, apex broadly obtuse, oblique, 0.8-0.85 cm long. Lip suborbicular, 0.3-0.35 cm long; epichile broadly obtusely apiculate; hypochile spurred; spur oblongoid, 0.25 cm long, obtuse, apex free, only slightly protruding from between the base of the lateral sepals. Column short; clinandrium dorsally semiorbicular, denticulate; stelidia obliquely triangular, subquadrangular, narrowly obtuse. Anther cucullate, orbicular, 0.17 cm wide, apex hyaline-marginate, rounded, base retuse, connective at base obtuse conical-thickened; rostellum not seen; stigma not seen; pollinia not seen; viscidium not seen. Ovary sessile, cylindrical, 0.45 cm long, glabrous. Capsule not seen.

Distribution – Papua New Guinea.

Habitat and Ecology - Epiphyte in montane forest. Altitude 1050-1300 m. Flowering in February and March in the wild.

Notes -  1. Flowers white with a patch of grey-green papillae on the tip of the lip.

2. The epithet hunsteiniana  refers to the location where the specimen was collected: the Hunstein mountain range.

3. Specimen observed: K000810763 (isotype).

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