Spathoglottis umbraticola Garay sp. nov.
Harvard Papers in Botany, Vol. 4, No. 1, 1999, pp. 312

TYPE: PAPUA NEW GUINEA, found ca. 70 km from Moro-Lake Kutubu, on steep limestone cliff, in deep shade, August 1996, Wolfgang Bandisch s.n., ex Hort Mrs. Ralph Levy 7364A. Tennessee. (Holotype: AMES).

DESCRIPTION: Planta scopicola, usque ad 40 cm alta; pseudobulbis minitissimis, 3-folatis; foliis plicatis, in natura utrinque atropurpureis, lineari-lanceolatis vel vulgo anguste elliptico-lanceolatis, breviter petiolatis, sursum sensim angustatis, acuminatis, 19-37 cm longis, 2-2.5 cm latis; scapo elongato, tometoso, vulgo 2-bracteolato, apice subcorsymboso, paucifloro, usque ad 20 cm alto; bracteis ovatis, acutis, tometosis, 1 cm longis; floribus succedaneis, 1-2, semiapertis, pulchre roseis, lobo intermedio labelli luteo; sepalis ellipticis, concavis, obtusis, extus tomentosis, lateralibus valde tomentoso-carinatis, 22 mm longis, 10 mm latis; petalis obovato-ellipticis, obtusis glabris, 22 mm longis, 11 mm latis; labello 3-lobo, lobis lateralibus antorse erectis, linearibus, apice rotundatis, 9 mm longis, 3.5 mm latis, lobo inter intermedio e cuneata basi obovato, apice minute apiculato, 10 mm longo, 5.5 mm latto, disco ad conjunctionem lobulorem lateralium et mediani callis 2, parallelis, trinagularibus, hirsutulis ornato; toto labello 13 mm longo, explanato 18 mm lato; columna glabra, valde arcuata, distincte alata, basi biauriculata, 10 mm longa; ovario pedicellato cylindrico, tomentoso.

Etymology: from the Latin umbra, meaning shade, and the suffix -cola, meaning a dweller, in reference to its shady habitat.

This unusual species is related to S. parviflora Krzl. and S. oreophila Ridl., but differs from both in having larger flowers and leaves, and especially in the structure of the lip. Moreover, the following excerpt from a letter of Mr. Bandisch provides additional information of interest. "For some time I have observed a Spathoglottis species in PNG in as much that it only flowers once a year, namely in July/August. In its natural habitat it clings to the vertical side of a limestone cliff and has its roots wander for several feet buried in the thin (no more than 2") mud and sand that has accumulated on the face of the cliff. The cliff's face is in total shade all day and all year round, water continually drips down the crevices of the cliff and therefore the roots are always soaking wet. In its natural habit the leaves of the plant are deep purple on both sides. The leaves may have a length of up to 18", but in average the length does not exceed 6". In cultivation the leaves turn green. Unlike other Spathoglottis species, this species has only minute bulbs.'

PNG Orchid News: February 1999

See full size photo of Spathoglottis umbraticola Garay