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Macodes obscura

Macodes obscura

Macodes obscura Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1911) 72

Type: Schlechter 19619 (holo B, lost; iso G, L)

Epiphytic, erect, 25-45 cm tall, rather stout. Rhizome short, stem-like; roots thick, cylindrical, flexuose, villose. Leaves 3-5, almost rosulate, closely spaced, erect-patent, petiolate; blade broadly elliptic or elliptic-ovate, acute with a minute apiculum, glabrous on both sides, 5-7.5 cm long, near at or below the middle 2.8-4 cm wide; petiole dilated at the base, sheathing, 1.5-2.5 cm long. Peduncle with a few small, distant, appressed scales, terete, glandulose-puberulous, rachis densely many-flowered, to 19 cm long, raceme c. 3 cm diam. across the flowers. Floral bracts ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, less than half as long as the ovary, glandulose-puberulous. Flowers erect-patent. Sepals broadly ovate, obtuse, glandulose-puberulous, 0.8 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique. Petals about as long as the median sepal and adhering to it along their inner margins, subfalcate, linear-ligulate, obtuse, just above the base along the front margin somewhat dilated, glabrous. Lip 0.8 cm long, at the base in outline oblong-quadrangular, cucullate, inside with two papillae, in front 3-lobed; lateral lobes short, rounded, cucullate-concave, unequal sized; mid-lobe at the base shortly clawed, very broadly rhombic-spathulate, apiculate, 0.4 cm long, just below the apex 0.25 cm wide. Column glabrous, slightly twisted, below the stigma with two large, quadrate, in front truncate, lobulate wings. Anther obliquely ovate-lanceolate, acuminate. Ovary shortly pedicellate, , clavate, glandulose-puberulous, c. 1.4 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)


Leaves very dark green with white margins. Flowers colour not recorded.

Epiphyte in montane forest, growing in shaded positions; 1200 to 1300 m.

Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).

Papua New Guinea. See map

distribution in New Guinea

Intermediate growing epiphyte, requires shaded position.

May, November.

  • Schlechter, R., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 21 (1923) t. 30, fig. 99
  • Family Orchidaceae
  • Subfamily Orchidoideae
  • Tribe Cranichideae
  • Subtribe Goodyerinae
  • Genus Macodes
  • Species Macodes obscura

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Macodes obscura

Macodes obscura Schltr., drawing R. Schlechter in Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 21 (1923) t. 30, fig. 99

Macodes obscura

Macodes obscura Schltr., herbarium sheet, Schlechter 19619 (isotype specimen L)