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Podochilus imitans

Podochilus imitans

Podochilus imitans Schltr. in K.Schum. & Lauterb., Nachtr. Fl. Deutsch. Schutzgeb. Südsee (1905) 118

Type: Schlechter 14370 (holo B, lost; iso BRI? (s.n.))

Epiphytic, erect or suberect, many-stemmed; 12-20 cm high; roots filiform, elongated, flexuose, glabrous. Stems unbranched, thinly terete; densely leafy, entirely covered with the persistent, tightly clasping leaf-sheaths. Leaves erect-patent, narrowly lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, tip bristle-like apiculate, 0.7-1.2 cm long, in basal half 0.15-0.25 cm wide. Inflorescences terminal, pendent, distichous, rather lax, 7-20 flowered, usually distinctly surpassing the upper leaves. Floral bracts erect-patent, very small, ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, almost as long as the ovary. Flowers erect-patent. Sepals connate up to the middle, 0.25 cm long, acute. Median sepal oblong. Lateral sepals along the front margin in basal half conspicuously dilated, forming a subglobose mentum. Petals erect, oblique, oblong-spathulate, obtuse, in front in the basal half lobed-dilated, a little shorter than the sepals. Lip bifid at the base, in total 0.25 cm long, the blade oblong-ligulate, constricted in the middle, with two somewhat fleshy [incurved] tightly appressed [lateral] lobes, apical part elliptic-ovate, obtuse. Column short, with much elongated foot; rostellum erect, deeply bifid, in front at the base of the stigma with an elongated, subulate, erect tooth. Anther cordate-lanceolate, narrowed towards the apex, shallowly incised; pollinia 4, obliquely oblanceolate; stipes 2, slender; viscidium oblanceolate, acute. (After Schlechter, 1905)

Note: Similar to the West Malesian Podochilus lucescens Blume, but with smaller flowers.


Flowers pure white.

Epiphyte in lowland and lower montane forest; 5 to 900 m.

Malesia (New Guinea).

Papua (Indonesia); Papua New Guinea. See map

distribution map

Intermediate growing epiphyte.

February, March, April, May, July, August, September, October, November.

  • Smith, J.J., Nova Guinea 8, 1 (1909) 110, t. 37, fig. 123
  • Schlechter, R., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1912) 327
  • Schlechter, R., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 21 (1923) t. 118, fig. 441
  • Smith, J.J., Nova Guinea 18, 1 (1935) 33
  • Family Orchidaceae
  • Subfamily Epidendroideae
  • Tribe Podochileae
  • Subtribe Podochilinae
  • Genus Podochilus
  • Section Podochilus
  • Species Podochilus imitans

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Podochilus imitans

Podochilus imitans Schltr., inflorescence, photo A. Schuiteman, based on Leiden cult. 20031580 (Harris 1529), from Papua New Guinea, Gulf Prov.

Podochilus imitans

Podochilus imitans Schltr., plant habit, photo E.F. de Vogel, based on Leiden cult. 20031580 (Harris 1529), from Papua New Guinea, Gulf Prov.

Podochilus imitans

Podochilus imitans Schltr., stem with inflorescence, photo E.F. de Vogel, based on Leiden cult. 20031580 (Harris 1529), from Papua New Guinea, Gulf Prov.

Podochilus imitans

Podochilus imitans Schltr., inflorescence, photo A. Schuiteman, based on Leiden cult. 20031580 (Harris 1529), from Papua New Guinea, Gulf Prov.

Podochilus imitans

Podochilus imitans Schltr., flower, photo A. Schuiteman, based on Leiden cult. 20031580 (Harris 1529), from Papua New Guinea, Gulf Prov.

Podochilus imitans

Podochilus imitans Schltr., drawing R. Schlechter in Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 21 (1923) t. 118, fig. 441

Podochilus imitans

Podochilus imitans Schltr., column and lip, drawing J.J. Smith, from Gjellerup 859

Podochilus imitans

Podochilus imitans Schltr., floral analysis, drawing J.J. Smith, from Versteeg 1552A

Podochilus imitans

Podochilus imitans Schltr., floral analysis, drawing J.J. Smith, from Gjellerup 790

Podochilus imitans

Podochilus imitans Schltr., floral analysis, drawing J.J. Smith, from Versteeg 1164

Podochilus imitans

Podochilus imitans Schltr., floral analysis, drawing J.J. Smith, from Gjellerup 859