Glomera parviflora J.J.Sm.

Glomera parviflora J.J.Sm., Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg 2(8):12 (1912)

Glossorhyncha subpetiolata Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1:298 (1912)-Type: Schlechter 18005 (holotype, B lost)

Growth form Epiphyte, erect or suberect, 10-15 cm high. Rhizome not seen. Roots long, filiform, flexible, glabrous. Stem strongly branched, compressed, proliferously leafed, completely covered by leaf sheaths. Leaf  lanceolate-linear, suberect or erect-patent; apex oblique, narrowly obtuse; base sub petiolate-narrowed; lamina 0.8-1.5 cm long, 0.2-0.3 cm wide; sheath tubular, striate with few thickened nerves; apex toothed, with bristled margin, bristles subulate. Inflorescences terminal, one-flowered, when young enveloped by a spathe. Spathe elliptic, convolute, apiculate, with thickened nerves; floral bracts transparent, thin, similar to the spathe, shorter than ovary. Flowers upright, glabrous. Median sepal ovate-oblong, apex obtuse, glabrous, 0.8 cm long, 0.41 cm wide. Lateral sepals falcate-oblique, apiculate, base distinctly dilated along the front margin, 0.75 cm long, 0.34 cm wide. Petal subfalcate, base subunguiculate-narrowed, broadly obovate, apex subretuse, 0.9 cm long, 0.34 cm wide. Lip broadly elliptic, 0.3 cm long, 0.2 cm wide; epichile obtuse, shortly acuminate or rather apiculate; hypochile spurred; spur semi-oblong, broadly obtuse, 0.15 cm long, 0.15 cm wide. Column 0.34 cm long, glabrous; clinandrium serrulate; stelidia not seen. Anther subquadrate, dorsally emarginate, in front ascending, obtuse, 0.25 cm long, 0.25 cm wide; pollinia 4, pear-shaped, 0.22 cm long; 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 1100 m. Flowering in July in the wild.

Notes -  1. Flowers white with a patch of fine blackish green dots on the tip of the lip.

2. The epithet parviflora refers to the small flower of the species (parvi means small and flora means flowers in Latin).

3. Specimen observed: Schlechter 18005.

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