Malaxis riparia (J.J.Sm.) P.F.Hunt, Kew Bull. 24 (1970) 84
Basionym: Microstylis riparia
Stem creeping in basal part, rooting, ascending, 10-12 cm long, 6-7-leaved. Leaves obliquely ovate, shortly and broadly acuminate, acute, at the base strongly oblique, almost cordate, somewhat crispate, with the 3 main nerves prominent underneath, 2-3.5 by 1.5-2 cm; petiole including the tubular sheath 1.1-1.5 cm long. Inflorescence erect, at the apex not nodding, laxly many-flowered, 12 cm long, peduncle narrowly winged-angular, 6.7 cm long. Floral bracts reflexed, triangular-lanceolate, concave, to 0.45 cm long. Flowers very small, 0.46 cm long. Median sepal pointing downwards, oblong, obtuse, with a minute apical appendage, convex, 3-nerved, 0.25 cm long, 0.14 cm wide. Lateral sepals reflexed, obliquely ovate-elliptic, subfalcate, obtuse, 3-nerved, 0.24 by 0.15 cm. Petals linear, obtuse, retuse, convex, 1-nerved, 0.23 by 0.06 cm. Lip sagittate, in total 0.36 cm long, 0.34 cm wide, at the base with a transverse callus that is appressed to the column, pit linear, longitudinal, with parallel, thickened margins, mid-lobe semiorbicular, retuse, with 4-5 long subulate teeth and an obtuse tooth on either side of the mid-lobe, the upper teeth falcate; basal auricles long-triangular, narrowly obtuse, convex, 0.16 cm long. Column short, dorsally compressed, dilated towards the apex, in outline quadrangular, 0.06 cm long, auricles obtuse, divergent. Anther reniform-triangular, obtuse, 0.05 cm wide. Ovary sigmoid, angular, 0.26 cm long. (After Smith, 1911)
Colours: Not recorded .
Habitat: Terrestrial in lowland forest; 160 m.
Flowering time in the wild: June.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Indonesia). See map: 431-374M.JPG.
Cultivation: Warm growing terrestrial, requires shaded position.