Glomera leucomela (Schltr.) J.J.Sm.

Glomera leucomela (Schltr.) J.J.Sm., Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg. 2(8):14 (1912)

Glossorhyncha leucomela Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1:313 (1912)- Type: Schlechter 18725 (holotype, B lost)

Growth form Epiphyte, erect or suberect, up to 5 cm high. Rhizome not seen. Roots filiform, flexible, glabrous. Stem unbranched or sparsely branched, cylindrical, proliferously leafed, entirely covered by leaf sheaths. Leaf ligulate, erect-patent or patent, ligulate, carnose, glabrous; apex obtuse; base sub petiolate-narrowed; lamina 0.5-0.7 cm long, 0.13-0.15 cm wide; sheath tight, striated, weakly warty; apex toothed, with bristled margin. Inflorescences terminal, one-flowered, when young enveloped by a spathe. Spathe broadly elliptic, apiculate, cucullate-clasping, glabrous; floral bracts transparent, thin, smaller than spathe. Flowers upright, glabrous. Median sepal oblong, subacute, glabrous, 0.8 cm long, 0.37 cm wide. Lateral sepals oblique, base somewhat dilated along the front margin, 0.77 cm long, 0.33 cm wide. Petal broadly elliptic, oblique, acute, glabrous, 0.82 cm long, 0.48 cm wide. Lip obovate, 0.35 cm long, 0.25 cm wide; epichile obtuse; hypochile spurred; spur oblongoid, obtuse, 0.3 cm long. Column 0.22 cm long, glabrous; clinandrium broadly triangular, apiculate, sublobulate. Anther obovate-cucullate, dorsally with conical swelling, glabrous, in front shortly bilobulate; rostellum not seen; pollinia 4, pear-shaped, 0.2 cm long, 0.8 mm wide ; stigma  not seen; viscidium not seen. Ovary cylindric, glabrous, 0.35 cm long. Capsule not seen.

Distribution – Papua New Guinea.

Habitat and Ecology - Epiphyte in upper montane forest. Altitude 2400 m. Flowering season not known.

Notes - 1. Flowers white with black color on the tip of the lip.

2. The epithet leucomela refers to the whitish flowers with a black spot at the tip of the lip.

3. Specimen observed: Schlechter 18725.

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