Taeniophyllum malianum

Taeniophyllum malianum is a leafless, epiphytic or lithophytic herb that forms untidy, tangled clumps. It has stems 10–20 millimetres (0.39–0.79 in) long that become covered with stiff hairs as they age. The photosynthetic roots are flattened, green with irregular white spots, 50–150 millimetres (2.0–5.9 in) long, 2–3 millimetres (0.079–0.12 in) wide and pressed against the substrate. There are between five and fifteen fragrant yellow, resupinate flowers 5–6 millimetres (0.20–0.24 in) long and 4–5 millimetres (0.16–0.20 in) wide borne on a thin, wiry flowering stem 20–40 millimetres (0.79–1.6 in) long. No more than three flowers are open at the same time. The sepals and petals spread widely apart and are about 5 millimetres (0.20 in) long and 1 millimetre (0.039 in) wide. The labellum is boat-shaped, about 8.5 millimetres (0.33 in) long and 3 millimetres (0.12 in) wide with an inflated tip and a spur about 4.5 millimetres (0.18 in) long. Flowering occurs sporadically and the flowers only last less than a day.

The tangled ribbonroot grows in humid scrub and rainforest. It occurs in New Guinea and Queensland where it is found between the McIlwraith and Iron Ranges.

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