Orchids of New Guinea

Oberonia longitepala

Oberonia longitepala J.J.Wood, Kew Bull. 32 (1978) 449, fig. 1

Type: Craven & Schodde 1047 (holo K; iso AMES, A, BO, BRI, CANB, CHR, L, LAE)

Epiphyte, up to c. 38 cm tall. Roots many, glabrous. Lower part of the stem covered with scarious sheaths. Leaves fleshy, equitant, distichous, not jointed at the base, narrowly lanceolate, falcate, acute, margins membranous towards the sheathing base, to c. 13 by 0.3 cm. Inflorescence dense, to c. 22 cm long, the flowers almost arranged in whorls, each whorl with up to 6 flowers. Floral bracts scarious, ovate, acuminate, margins erose, 0.4 by 0.2 cm. Ovary 0.15 cm long. Dorsal sepal subulate, acute, 0.6 cm long, to 0.08 cm broad, broadest near the base, 1-nerved. Lateral sepals similar to dorsal sepal. Petals subulate, acute, 0.55 cm long, to 0.04 cm broad, 1-nerved. Lip 3-lobed, 0.3 cm long, 0.15 cm broad at the base, with 3 indistinct, longitudinal, median nerves extending from base to apex; lateral lobes obliquely triangular, apex rounded; mid-lobe lanceolate, apex acute, 0.2 cm long. Column 0.05 cm long; 0.04 cm broad. Anther cap 0.02 cm long, 0.03 cm broad. Pollinia 4. (After Wood, 1978)

Colours:

Leaves dull mid-green. Flower yellow(-orange)-green.

Habitat:

Epiphyte in hill and montane forest, sometimes locally common in secondary forest; 525-1800 m.

Distribution:

Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).

Distribution New Guinea:

Papua (Indonesia); Papua New Guinea. See map

Cultivation:

Intermediate growing epiphyte.

Flowering time in the wild:

January, March, May, June.

Classification:

Family Orchidaceae
Subfamily Epidendroideae
Tribe Malaxideae
Section Hymenobractea
Genus Oberonia
Species Oberonia longitepala

Notes:

Very distinct because of its 'gigantic' flowers (for a member of this species).