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Family: Orchidaceae
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Lindl., Gard. Chron. 598. 1853 Small epiphyte (rarely terrestrial), 15-25 (45) cm tall; pseudobulbs lacking; stems reedlike but flattened, usually with only 1 leaf (to 3). Leaves narrowly elliptic to oblong-elliptic, narrowly acute to acuminate at apex, (6) 9-12 (23) cm. long, 1.5-3.5 cm wide, plicate, articulated at base with a conduplicate, persistent, sheathing base. Flowers solitary at apex of stem; sepals +/- equal, linear to oblong-lanceolate, acute or apiculate apically, 3-4 cm long, 4-7 mm wide, white to cream or pale lavender (at least externally), connate at base; petals +/- equaling sepals, white or cream with a yellow throat; lip oval to obovate, 3-3.5 cm long, 1.5-2 cm wide, white with raised yellow ridges, the central ridge terminating in ragged, hairlike projections, the base of the lip with several thickened veins and 2 callus thickenings; column 16-18 mm long. Fruits slender, to ca 6 cm long and 5 mm wide, closely ribbed. Reported by Dressler; one specimen was seen from the island and transferred to the epiphyte house, but no collection was made. The species flowers throughout the rainy season (June to November), especially in July and August. Fruiting plants are common in the dry season. |