Malaxis nitida (Schltr.) P.F.Hunt var. cyclopensis (J.J.Sm.) P.F.Hunt, Kew Bull. 24 (1970) 82
Basionym: Microstylis nitida var. cyclopensis
Leaves obliquely ovate, undulate, with three nerves grooved above, keeled below, 2.2-3.4 cm by 1.5-2.3 cm, petiole including the sheath 0.9-1.8 cm long. Inflorescence laxly several-flowered, peduncle 6.8 cm long, rachis (not fully developed in the described specimen) 5.5 cm long. Flowers 0.48 cm wide, 0.58 cm long; sepals and petals strongly convex. Median sepal elliptic, obtuse, 3-nerved, 0.33 cm long, almost 0.2 cm wide. Lateral sepals obliquely elliptic, obtuse, 3-nerved, 0.28 cm long, 0.18 cm wide. Petals ligulate, obtuse, bilobulate, 1-nerved, 0.3 cm long, 0.1 cm wide. Lip horseshoe-shaped, 3-lobed; auricles parallel, narrowly obtuse, 0.17 cm long; pit semiorbicular with convex-swollen margins; lip when flattened in total 0.47 cm long, almost 0.4 cm wide; lateral lobes short, triangular, with the apex almost rectangular, subacute; mid-lobe larger, triangular, obtuse, deeply bifid, 0.16 cm long. Column dorsally compressed, dilated at the apex. Anther subreniform. Pollinia 4, obliquely pear-shaped. Ovary pedicellate, , 6-ribbed, 0.43 cm long. (After Smith, 1913)
Colours: Flowers light yellowish brown.
Habitat: Terrestrial in lower montane forest; 1200 m.
Flowering time in the wild: June.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Indonesia). See map: 431-290M.JPG.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing terrestrial, requires shaded position.