Glomera scopulata (P.Royen) J.M.H. Shaw

Glomera scopulata  (P.Royen) J.M.H. Shaw, 

Glossorhyncha scopulata P.Royen, Alp. Fl. New Guinea 2 :586 (1979)- Type: Brass 9042 (holotype BM; isotype BRI, L, AMES)

Growth form Terrestrial, erect, broom-like, apical part slightly pendent, much branched, up to 40 cm high. Rhizome ca. 1 mm in diameter. Roots filiform, flexible, glabrous, part observed 5 cm long. Stem glabrous, in lower part straight, flexible in upper parts, branched with many up to 10 cm long, proliferously leafed, entirely covered by leaf sheaths. Leaf narrowly elliptic-lanceolate, erect-patent, coriaceous, glabrous, seemingly subulate, midrib and 2 lateral nerves prominent above, not visible below; apex obtuse, conoid-apiculate; lamina 1-1.5  cm long, 0.1-0.2 cm wide; sheath tight clasping, tubular, sparsely transversely warty in apical parts, scattered and densely warty for the rest, 0.5-1.5 cm long, 5-ribbed; apex toothed, with bristled margin, bristles 0.03 cm long, these later caducous. Inflorescences terminal, one-flowered, when young enveloped by a spathe. Spathe oblong-obovoid, inflated, glabrous, 2-nerved, apex retuse, both lobes apiculate; floral bracts widely tubular, glabrous, without nerves, apex acute, 0.5 cm long. Flowers upright, glabrous. Median sepal elliptic-obovate, finely papillate on either side, 5-nerved, 0.65 cm long, 0.3 cm wide. Lateral sepals obliquely oblong, free, finely papillate on either side, 5-nerved, apex acute, 0.65 cm long, 0.3 cm wide. Petal slightly obliquely oblong-elliptic, finely papillate on either side, 5-nerved, apex rounded, 0.6 cm long, 0.3 cm wide. Lip adnate to the base of column, free part rhombic 0.4 cm long, 0.4 cm wide, 7-nerved, midrib prominent inside, grooved outside; epichile 3-lobed, obtuse, densely papillate on either side but larger and darker papillae along midrib inside and along apical margin, less towards center and corners of lip in lower half; hypochile spurred; spur subulate-conoid, 0.35 cm long, apex retuse. Column curved, 0.2 cm long, 0.1 cm wide; clinandrium entire; stelidia not seen. Anther cucullate, 0.1 cm long, 0.1 cm wide, rounded apex, thickened and up-curved, base retuse, connective projection at base; rostellum not seen; pollinia pear-shaped, 0.03 cm long; stigma not seen; viscidium not seen. Ovary oblong, glabrous, 0.65 cm long, 0.3 cm wide, 6-ribbed. Capsule not seen.

Distribution – Indonesia.

Habitat and Ecology – Terrestrial in upper montane forest around Lake Habbema. Altitude 3225 m. Flowering season not known.

Notes - 1. Flowers white. Leaf sheaths in lower part often dark purple, otherwise brownish green.

2. The epithet scopulata refers to the broom-like appearance of the species (scopulata means broom in Latin).

3. Specimen observed: Brass 9042.

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