Species Information - Agrostophyllum nidus-avis

Agrostophyllum nidus-avis Ormerod. Orchadian 17 (2011) 40, fig.

Type: L.J. Brass 12263 (holo AMES).

Synonyms:

Epiphytic herb. Roots terete, pubescent, 0.1 cm thick. Stems caespitose, ,rather flat, at the base terete, 25-31 by 0.2 cm at the base, 0.4-0.6 cm wide across the sheaths; lower 1/3 covered in decaying fibrous remnants of sheaths, upper 2/3 rather densely foliose; lower internodes 0.8-1.0 cm long. Leaves obliquely erect, thin, subrigid, ligulate-lanceolate, 3.2-5.5 by 0.45-0.6 cm; leaf sheaths obliquely truncate, stipules deltate to lanceolate, often thin, papery and disintegrating quickly, 0.05-0.25 cm long; apex biaristate with a short mucro between the tips, arista 1-2 mm long. Inflorescence terminal, with several bracts and sheaths that quickly desintegrate to leave erect fibrous remnants, few flowered, flowers hidden amongst fibres, c. 2.5 by 2-2.5 cm. Pedicel and ovary clavate, angular, 0.69-0.8 cm long. Median sepal ovate-elliptic, 0.79 by 0.45 cm; apex acute; outside weakly keeled towards apex; 3-4-nerved, lateral veins branched. Lateral sepals obliquely ovate, 0.95 by 0.48 cm; apex acute; midrib slightly keeled, much stronger keeled in upper half; 4-nerved, lateral veins not or 1x branched. Petals ovate-oblong; base slightly contracted, 0.68 by 0.325 cm; apex subacute; 3-veined, lateral veins branched. Lip 3-lobed,0. 88 cm long; hypochile with rounded truncate lateral lobes, c. 0.3 cm long; ligula obcuneate-subquadrate, with truncate trilobulate apex, papillose-pubescent; epichile 3-lobed, transversely rectangular, 0.69 by 0.89 cm, lateral lobes c. 0.3 by 0.3 cm, midlobe transversely rectangular-emarginate, c. 0.19 by 0.5 cm, with emarginate apex. Column short, stout, erect, c. 0.24 by 0.38- 0.39 cm including the anther.
(after Ormerod 2011)

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