Glomera transitoria J.J.Sm., Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg 2(8):14 (1912)
Glossorhyncha transitoria Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1:312 (1912)- Type: Gjellerup 1160 (isotype, L)
Growth form Epiphyte, 25-30 cm high. Rhizome not seen. Roots filiform, long, flexible, glabrous. Stem elongated, cylindrical, much branched, branches patent, in primary stem internodes 0.8-1.5 cm long, in branches shorter proliferously leafed, completely covered by leaf sheaths, internodes 2.2-2.6 cm long, 0.55 cm in diameter. Leaf ovate-lanceolate, curved, coriaceous, midrib grooved above; apex unequally 2-lobed, both lobes obtuse, crenulate-erose; lamina 3.3-4.2 cm long, 1.15-1.35 cm wide; sheath tubular, transversely warty; apex toothed, with bristled margin, bristles 1-1.2 mm long. Inflorescences terminal, multi-flowered, capitate, nutant, semiglobose, 3 cm in diameter, when young enveloped by a spathe. Spathe ovate-triangular, concave, many-nerved, with prominent cilia, coriaceous, apex conduplicate-acuminate, 1.5-1.7 cm long; floral bracts subovate to elliptic, 4-nerved, thin, transparent, apex acuminate, 1.4 cm long, 0.9 cm wide. Flowers upright, glabrous, 1 cm long, lateral sepal contiguous, with more or less curved tip. Median sepal oblong, upper half narrowed, concave, 3-nerved at base, apex obtuse, 0.8 cm long, 0.4 cm wide. Lateral sepals front margin connate, oblique oblong, concave, 4-nerved, apex subconduplicate, obtuse, shortly apiculate, up to apex of the ovary 0.8 cm long, up to apex of the mentum 1 cm long, above base 0.46 cm wide; mentum appressed the ovary, forming obtuse angle, laterally compressed, 0.275 cm long. Petal oblong, concave below, convex other side, 3-nerved, apex slightly subretuse, base contracted, 0.73 cm long, 0.3 cm wide. Lip 0.1 cm long adnate to the column, in total 0.575 cm long, up to apex of the ovary 0.45 cm long, when flattened quadrangular, recurved, carnose, front margin incurved concave and stout, convex below, 0.34 cm long, 0.275 cm wide; epichile rounded-dilated, obtuse; hypochile with conspicuous transverse callus, spurred; spur reversed, laterally compressed, oblong, apex obtuse, 0.3 cm long. Column slightly curved, lower half adnate to the lip, 0.2 cm long, apex obtuse; column foot present; clinandrium deeply excavate, triangular, margin denticulate; stelidia 2-dentate. Anther cucullate, suborbicular, apex retuse, membranaceous margin, conical-umbonate, 0.125 cm wide; rostellum wide, rounded-truncate; stigma transverse rectangular ovate; pollinia not seen; viscidium not seen. Ovary cylindrical, 3-ribbed, 0.76 cm long. Capsule not seen.
Distribution – Indonesia.
Habitat and Ecology - Epiphyte in montane forest of mount Arfak. Altitude 1900 m. Flowering in April in the wild.
Notes - 1. Flowers yellowish white with light red lip.
2. The epithet transitoria refers to the quick withering flowers of the species (transitorius means passing quickly in Latin).
3. Specimen observed: Gjellerup 1160.