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Flickingeria clementsii D.L.Jones, Orchadian 14(8): Suppl. ix-x (2004). Type: Queensland. Cultivated Australian National Botanic Gardens, 22 Mar. 1989, ex North of road to Tozers Gap, [1976] J. Wrigley 271 (CBG 761222), (holo CANB).
Occurs in far north-eastern Queensland on Iron Range and McIlwraith Range.
Altitude: 100-500 m.
Epiphytic or lithophytic herb forming straggly clumps. Stems aerial, elongate, erect to pendulous, branching, to 100 cm long; pseudobulbs and leaves decreasing in size along stem. Pseudobulbs terminal, 1.5-30 cm x 0.2-0.5 cm, dark green to reddish, deeply grooved. Leaf terminal on pseudobulb, erect, apical, sessile; lamina elliptic to obovate, 15-22 cm x 7-10 cm, dark green, thin-textured, leathery, margins entire to undulate, apex obtuse to acute, often slightly decurved. Inflorescence an axillary raceme, single-flowered, from apical meristem on pseudobulb, concurrent flowers forming clusters. Flower solitary, resupinate, erect to porrect, star-shaped, 15-20 mm x 20-25 mm, cream, sometimes purple-spotted, labellum purple. Sepals and petals widely spreading. Dorsal sepal oblong, 10-12 mm x 4-5 mm, apex acute. Lateral sepals narrowly triangular, 10-12 mm x 4-5 mm, bases fused to column foot, apex acute. Petals linear, 10-12 mm x 1-1.5 mm. Labellum 13-15 mm x 5-6 mm, 3-lobed; lateral lobes 8 mm long, shortly fringed; midlobe tapered, with 2 yellow ridges, blunt, basal margins undulate, apex with dense fringe of spreading wavy hair-like lobes c. 5 mm long. Column 4.5 mm long. Column foot 6 mm long, at an obtuse angle to column. Capsules pendulous, dehiscent.
Occurs in rainforests growing on trees and rocks in situations of moderately bright light. Young stems are erect but elongate with age, becoming straggly or pendulous. The flowers, which last less than a day, arise in sporadic bursts.
Highly localised.
Flowering period: Sporadic throughout the year.
Until recently confused with Flickingeria comata which is from Indonesia.
