Cyrtosia Blume
in Bijdragen tot de Flora van Nederlandsch Indie 396, t. 6 (1825)

Introduction: This genus appears to be represented by only one species which has a broad distribution from Peninsular Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Sri Lanka to Sualwesi and New Guinea. The generic name was first published by Blume (1825) and later placed in Galeola by Bentham and Hooker (1883). Cyrtosia has been more recently reinstated as a genus by Garay(1988).

Derivation of genus name: Greek krytos (curved; swollen). Referring to the arcuate-clavate pollen mass

Type species: C. javanica Bl

Characteristics of the genus: Saphrophytic leafless terrestrials lacking chlorophyll, with large underground rhizomes; stems papillose, erect, bearing elongating inflorescences. Flowers fleshy, dirty white and yellowish and mealy-hairy on the outside; sepals oblong, incurved; petals glabrous, shorter and thinner in texture; labellum not lobed, fleshy, concave, pubescent inside, pale yellow. Fruit large, non-dehiscent, fleshy and red in colour.

Number of species in New Guinea: 1

Species line drawing: C. javanica Bl
drawn by Neville H.S. Howcroft

Key to Illustration: A. plant habit and inflorescence, to 5 cm scale. B. Column, anther and labellum from above, to 10 mm scale. C. lateral view of B.

Habitat: The specimen illustrated was found growing as an terrestrial in a bamboo grove on Mt. Kaindi at approximately 1000 m altitude. Comber (1990) reports that in Java they are often found in dark situations in deep humus, from 700 - 1,500 m.

Conservation status:Unlikely to be threatened over its range in PNG except by shifting agriculture or logging. Presently the species has been only found where these are unlikely to occur for many years.

Conservation status: not known