Glomera pensilis (Schltr.) J.J.Sm.

Glomera pensilis (Schltr.) J.J.Sm., Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg 2(8):13 (1912)

Glossorhyncha pensilis Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1:307 (1912)-Type: Schlechter 18613 (holotype, B lost).

Growth form Epiphyte, pendulous, slender, up to 40 cm high. Rhizome not seen. Roots long, filiform, flexible, glabrous. Stem slender, branched, proliferously leafed, completely covered by leaf sheaths. Leaf  lanceolate-linear-ligulate-linear, glabrous; apex oblique, narrowly obtuse; base cuneate;  lamina 0.6-1.2 cm long, 0.125-0.18 cm wide; sheath tight, striate-nervose; apex toothed, with bristled margins, bristles subulate, 0.4-0.6 cm long. Inflorescences terminal, one-flowered, when young enveloped by a spathe. Spathe broadly elliptic, apiculate, cucullate-clasping, glabrous; floral bracts transparent, thin, similar to spathe but smaller. Flowers upright, glabrous. Median sepal elliptic, obtuse, 0.55 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique, base dilated along the front margin. Petal broadly obovate, sub falcate-oblique, 0.7 cm long, base cuneate-sub unguiculate, apex retuse. Lip suborbicular, 0.3 cm long, 0.33 cm wide; epichile obtuse, subapiculate; hypochile spurred; spur oblongoid-conical, obtuse, dorsally depressed, 0.25 cm long. Column short, glabrous, slightly more than half as long as the lip, apex incurved; clinandrium semiorbicular, irregularly crenulate-denticulate; stelidia not seen. Anther broadly cucullate, obtusely umbonate, in front ascending, broadly obtuse, glabrous; pollinia not seen; rostellum not seen; 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 1400 m. Flowering season not known.

Notes -  1. Flowers white with a patch of fine grey-green dots on the tip of the lip; anther light brown.

2. The epithet pensilis refers to the hanging growth form of the species.

3. Specimen observed: Schlechter 18613.

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