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Mediocalcar versteegii subsp. intermedium

Mediocalcar versteegii subsp. intermedium

Mediocalcar versteegii J.J.Sm. subsp. intermedium Schuit., Orchid Monogr. 8 (1997) 69, fig. 27, Pl. 4a

Type: RSNH (McKee) 24160 (holo K; iso P)

Synonyms:

  • Mediocalcar seranicum J.J.Sm., Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg, sér. 3, 10 (1928) 135
    - Type: Rutten Exp. (Kornasi) 1481 (Moluccas, Ceram, Mt. Moerkele) (holo L; iso BO)

Pseudobulbs 2-25 mm apart, 1.5-3.2 cm long, 3-6 mm across, largely enveloping the rhizome; free top prostrate to suberect, 4-12 mm long. Leaves one or two per pseudobulb, sessile, (linear-)lanceolate (index 4.7-13.8), 5-13.5 cm by 5-15 mm; gradually narrowing towards the base, apex obtuse to subacute, minutely bilobed, mucronate. Inflorescences solitary, synanthous or more frequently heteranthous. Peduncle 12-15 mm long, at the apex with a triangular bract 1-2 mm long. Pedicel and ovary 10-19 mm long. Flowers urceolate-globose, oblique, 10.5-12.5 mm long. Synsepalum 11-13 mm long and 15-17 mm wide when cut open and flattened; free tips slightly spreading to reflexed, 3.5-4.5 mm long, apices obtuse to subacute. Lateral sepals smooth or slightly keeled. Petals lanceolate to linear-oblanceolate (index 5.4-8) 8-10.5 by 1-1.5 mm; apex acute; 3-nerved. Lip 8-9 by c. 4 mm in natural position, the blade broadly ovate when flattened; claw 3-3.5 by 2-2.5 mm, auricles rather conspicuous, reflexed; apex acute, straight to recurved; margins erect, clasping the column; spur shortly saccate, recurved, 0.6-1.5 mm deep, c. 2 mm wide just below the mouth. Column broadly clavate, c. 5 mm long, c. 2.5 mm wide at the apex, foot short, c. 1 mm long. Fruit (immature) narrowly cylindric, 24 by 2 mm. (After Schuiteman, 1997)


Flowers red to orange with bright yellow to orange-yellow tips, in New Guinea also with greenish yellow tips. Rarely red with white tips.

Epiphyte in montane forest; 1000-2300 m.

Malesia (Moluccas, New Guinea), Solomon Islands, Vanuatu.

Papua New Guinea. See map

distribution in New Guinea

Intermediate growing epiphyte.

January, February, July, August, September, October, November, December.

  • Smith, J.J., Reinwardtia 1 (1950) t. 185, fig. III, as Mediocalcar seranicum J.J.Sm.
  • Family Orchidaceae
  • Subfamily Epidendroideae
  • Tribe Podochileae
  • Subtribe Eriinae
  • Genus Mediocalcar
  • Species Mediocalcar versteegii subsp. intermedium

Similar to subsp. versteegii, but with a shorter spur, and pseudobulbs usually displaying less pronounced bud-displacement.


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Mediocalcar versteegii subsp. intermedium

Mediocalcar versteegii J.J.Sm. subsp. intermedium Schuit., flower, cut open, note drop of nectar on auricle, photo A. Schuiteman, Leiden cult. 940461

Mediocalcar versteegii subsp. intermedium

Mediocalcar versteegii J.J.Sm. subsp. intermedium Schuit., stem with flowers, photo E.F. de Vogel, Leiden cult. 20030264, detail

Mediocalcar versteegii subsp. intermedium

Mediocalcar versteegii J.J.Sm. subsp. intermedium Schuit., habit, photo A. Schuiteman, based on Reeve

Mediocalcar versteegii subsp. intermedium

Mediocalcar versteegii J.J.Sm. subsp. intermedium Schuit., stem with flowers, photo E.F. de Vogel, Leiden cult. 20030264

Mediocalcar versteegii subsp. intermedium

Mediocalcar versteegii J.J.Sm. subsp. intermedium Schuit., flower, lateral view, photo E.F. de Vogel, Leiden cult. 20030264

Mediocalcar versteegii subsp. intermedium

Mediocalcar versteegii J.J.Sm. subsp. intermedium Schuit., flower, front view, photo E.F. de Vogel, Leiden cult. 20030264

Mediocalcar versteegii subsp. intermedium

Mediocalcar versteegii J.J.Sm. subsp. intermedium Schuit., flower, lateral sepal removed, lateral view, photo E.F. de Vogel, Leiden cult. 20030264

Mediocalcar versteegii subsp. intermedium

Mediocalcar versteegii J.J.Sm. subsp. intermedium Schuit., drawing A. Schuiteman in Orchid Monogr. 8 (1997) fig. 27

Mediocalcar versteegii subsp. intermedium

Mediocalcar versteegii J.J.Sm. subsp. intermedium Schuit., herbarium sheet, RSNH (McKee) 24160 (holotype specimen K), photo copyright the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Mediocalcar versteegii subsp. intermedium

Mediocalcar versteegii J.J.Sm. subsp. intermedium Schuit., detail of herbarium sheet, RSNH (McKee) 24160 (holotype specimen K), photo copyright the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Mediocalcar versteegii subsp. intermedium

Mediocalcar versteegii J.J.Sm. subsp. intermedium Schuit., (as Mediocalcar seranicum J.J.Sm.), herbarium sheet, Rutten Exp. (Kornasi) 1481 (holotype specimen L)

Mediocalcar versteegii subsp. intermedium

Mediocalcar versteegii J.J.Sm. subsp. intermedium Schuit., (as Mediocalcar seranicum J.J.Sm.), herbarium sheet, Rutten Exp. (Kornasi) 1481 (Moluccas, Ceram, Mt. Moerkele) (isotype specimen BO)