Orchids of New Guinea

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Pinalia mafuluensis

Pinalia mafuluensis Ormerod, Malesian Orchid J. 7. (2011) 78, fig. 2

Type: L.J. Brass 5213 (holo AMES).

Synonyms:

Eria mafuluensis (Ormerod) Ormerod, Checkl. Papuas. Orchids (2017) 287

Epiphytic herb. Rhizome creeping, terete, at least 7 cm long, with several terete, pubescent roots. Stems approximate, erect, terete, apically 4—5-leaved, 19—32 by 0.35—0.75 cm; internodes 2.7—4.5 cm long; internode sheaths semi-tubular, ovate-lanceolate 4.2—5.3 cm long; apex acute; papery. Leaves ligulate, 16—18.7 by 1.8—2.35 cm; base subpetiolate; apex acute to almost obtuse; thinly coriaceous; prominently 7—9-nerved below. Inflorescences 5 or more, emerging from halfway to near apex of the stem, 5.5—11.2 cm long, subdensely 26—40-flowered throughout length; floral bracts oblong-lanceolate, to 0.5 by 0.1—0.15 cm; apex acute. Pedicel and ovary cylindric-clavate, 6 mm long, seemingly glabrous but minutely sparsely pubescent. Median sepal oblong-lanceolate, 0.83 by 0.22 cm; apex acute; nerves 3, branching. Lateral sepals obliquely oblong-lanceolate, 0.73 by 0.24 cm; apex acute, outside terminating in a truncate, thickened midrib; 3- nerved; mentum 0.1.75 cm long. Petals obliquely oblong-lanceolate, 0.68 by 0.2 cm; apex subacute; 2—3-nerved. Lip ovate-lanceolate, 0.36 by 0.195 cm; in basal third with a pair of widely separated, semicircular, laminate calli; upper part of margin irregular; apex obtuse. Column semi-terete, slightly curved, 0.175 mm long; column foot 0.15 mm long.
(after Ormerod 2011)

Colours:

Leaves glossy green above. Inflorescences deep purple; floral bracts cream- coloured. Flowers with lower halves of tepals purple to purple-red, upper halves cream to pale yellow. Pedicel and ovary deep purple.

Habitat:

Epiphyte in southern beech (Nothofagus) forest (type) and mountain ridge forest; 1250—1700 m.

Distribution:

Malesia (New Guinea).

Distribution New Guinea:

Papua New Guinea (Central Province)

Cultivation:

Cool growing epiphyte.

Flowering time in the wild:

September to November

Classification:

Family Orchidaceae
Subfamily Epidendroideae
Tribe Podochileae
Subtribe Eriinae
Genus Pinalia
Species Pinalia mafuluensis

Notes:

Pinalia mafuluensis is allied to P. microglossa with which it shares a similar floral morphology. It is, however, a more robust plant with approximate stems bearing four to five longer leaves,and has a smaller lip, and a longer column.