Orchids of New Guinea

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Nervilia acuminata

Nervilia acuminata (J.J.Sm.) Schltr., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 45 (1911) 402

Synonyms:

Pogonia acuminata J.J.Sm., Bull. Dép. Agric. Indes Néerl. 19 (1908) 34
- Type: Versteeg 1364 (holo BO; iso L)

Basionym: Pogonia acuminata

Tuber elliptic-ovoid to subglobose, with 3-5 nodes, c. 0.9-1.8 cm long, 0.65-0.9 cm diam., with scale-leaves and frequently with short stolons which arise singly or in pairs from the axils of the scale-leaves; roots short, rarely branching, provided with hairy warts. Stem subterraneous, terete, pilose. Leaf petiolate, cordate, 6-angular, acute, underneath with 7 prominent nerves, with large, broadly rounded basal lobes, including the basal lobes 4.1-5.1 cm long (without the basal lobes 3.8-4.9 cm long), 5.1-6.8 cm wide; petiole 7 ribbed, grooved in front, 0.4-1 cm long. Inflorescence erect, one-flowered; peduncle angular, 6-13 cm long, covered with a few 1.5-3.5 cm long scales with tubular bases. Floral bract appressed, triangular, acute, covered with scale-hairs, 0.3 cm long. Flower erect, 1.25 cm diam. Sepals and petals erect-patent. Sepals linear-lanceolate, long acuminate, acute, concave, 3 nerved. Median sepal 1.9 cm long, 0.15 cm wide. Lateral sepals suboblique, 2.35 cm long, 0.36 cm wide. Petals shorter than the sepals, suboblique, lanceolate, with acutely narrowed apex, concave, 3-nerved, 1.5 cm long, 0.3 cm wide. Lip concave, tightly clasping the column, base weakly undulate, when flattened in outline triangular, at the base on either side dilated into a rounded lobule, at the apex acutely acuminate, inside near the base tomentose, 5-nerved, 1 cm long, 0.55 cm wide. Column straight, clavate, in the basal part much thinner than the ovary, dilated at the base, dorsally above the middle strongly gibbose-swollen, in front below the stigma puberulous, 0.56 cm long; clinandrium with recurved, undulate, denticulate margins. Anther cucullate, finely warty. Rostellum broad, truncate, somewhat fleshy. Stigma obtriangular-reniform. Ovary covered with minute scale-hairs, 0.75 cm long; pedicel thinner than the ovary, 0.45 cm long. Peduncle when fruiting 21-24 cm long. (After Smith, 1909 and Smith, 1913)

Colours:

Inflorescence and peduncle-scales pale green with violettish edges. Sepals and petals pale green, the sepals outside with three raised, more or less interrupted violet-purple veins and longitudinal spots. Lip white, greenish at the base, in the middle with two large, bright purple spots and a similarly coloured stripe in front of the latter.

Habitat:

Terrestrial in lowland and montane forest, occasionally on temporarily inundated spots; 30 to 1500 m.

Distribution:

Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).

Distribution New Guinea:

Papua (Indonesia); Papua New Guinea. See map

Cultivation:

Intermediate growing terrestrial, requires shaded position.

Flowering time in the wild:

May, July, August, September, October, November.

References:

Smith, J.J., Nova Guinea 8, 1 (1909) 8, t. 3, fig. 7, as Pogonia acuminata J.J.Sm.
Schlechter, R., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1911) 40
Smith, J.J., Nova Guinea 12, 1 (1913) 5, t. 2, fig. 3
Schlechter, R., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 21 (1923) t. 18, fig. 56

Classification:

Family Orchidaceae
Subfamily Epidendroideae
Tribe Nervilieae
Section Linervia
Genus Nervilia
Species Nervilia acuminata