Malaxis gibbsiae (J.J.Sm.) P.F.Hunt, Kew Bull. 24 (1970) 80
Basionym: Microstylis gibbsiae
Stem at the base decumbent, rooting, ascending, c. 11-leaved. Leaves obliquely subovate-oblong, more or less falcate, subacute, apiculate, minutely undulate, with c. 3 very prominent nerves below, 4.5-5 by 1.6-1.7 cm; petiole channelled, including the sheath 1.6-1.7 cm long. Inflorescence erect, laxly many-flowered; peduncle 5.25 cm long, with a small bract-like scale; rachis 6 cm exceeding. Floral bracts small, reflexed, oblong- to lanceolate-triangular, acute, to 0.27 cm long. Flowers widely patent. Median sepal subovate-elliptic, obtuse, at the base convex, near the apex concave, 3-nerved, almost 0.3 cm long, 0.18 cm wide. Lateral sepals reflexed, obliquely orbicular-ovate, obtuse, at the base convex, near the apex concave, 3-nerved, 0.26 cm long, almost 0.2 cm wide. Petals obliquely ligulate, obtuse, 1-nerved, 0.25 by 0.08 cm. Lip horseshoe-shaped, with a very small thickening near the base, pit triangular, surrounded by a broadly convex rim, lip when flattened in total 0.43 cm long, lateral lobes not or hardly developed, obtuse, mid-lobe broadly triangular, divided into two obliquely triangular, acute, along their interior margin slightly wavy lobules, on either side of the mid-lobe with 4 long, subulate, to slightly over 0.1 cm long teeth, of which especially the inner ones are falcate and which become smaller towards the sides; auricles rather large, narrowly obliquely triangular, acute or subacute, almost 0.2 cm long, at the base 0.08 cm wide. Column dorsally compressed, oblong-quadrangular, apex dilated, dorsally convex, slightly over 0.1 cm long, clinandrium concave, wings divergent, surpassing the anther, oblong, truncate-obtuse, inside convex, somewhat carnose. Anther cucullate, transversely 5-angular-reniform, broadly obtuse, 0.06 cm wide. Rostellum wide, retuse. Ovary pedicellate, , 1-1.1 cm long. (After Smith, 1917)
Colours: “Leaves appear to have been coloured (J.J. Smith)." Flowers purple.
Habitat: Terrestrial in lowland forest.
Flowering time in the wild: December.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Indonesia). See map: 431-151M.JPG.
Cultivation: Warm growing terrestrial, requires shaded position.