Malaxis rhabdophylla (Ridl.) P.F.Hunt, Kew Bull. 24 (1970) 84
Basionym: Microstylis rhabdophylla
Stem erect, 6-9 cm long, to 8-leaved. Leaves lanceolate, oblique, at the base shortly cuneate, apex obtuse, 4-7 cm by 1.2-2.5 cm, margins crispate, petiole 1-2.5 cm long. Raceme 15-30 cm long; peduncle 8-15 cm long; rachis laxly flowered. Floral bracts linear acuminate, patent, 0.2-0.3 cm long, as long as the pedicel and ovary. Flowers several, very small, 0.3 cm diam. Median sepal oblong. Lateral sepals ovate, obtuse, broader. Petals linear, obtuse, much narrower than the sepals. Lip obovate, oblong, with entire margins, apex broad, bilobed with a wide sinus between the short, acute lobes; basal auricles short, broad, obtuse, incurved. Column short; apical wings oblong, truncate, long. Anther ovate. (After Ridley, 1916)
Colours: Leaves dark green, with a light green or purple-brown central band. Flowers deep yellow and crimson, or green to yellow to dull crimson.
Habitat: Terrestrial in lowland forest; 212 to 759 m.
Flowering time in the wild: Not recorded.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Indonesia). See map: 431-367M.JPG.
Cultivation: Warm growing terrestrial, requires shaded position.