Malaxis wappeana (J.J.Sm.) P.F.Hunt, Kew Bull. 24 (1970) 85
Basionym: Microstylis wappeana
Plant small. Stem 3-3.75 cm long, rooting at the base, c. 4-6-leaved. Leaves patent, obliquely ovate to oblong-ovate, subobtuse or subacute, minutely apiculate, below with three prominent nerves, when dried membranous, 1.6-3.5 by 0.8-1.2 cm; petiole channelled, including the tubular sheath 1.1-1.5 cm long. Inflorescence erect, at the apex not nodding, flowering fro a long time, densely many-flowered; peduncle narrowly winged-angular, 4-5.5 cm long, with one very small, reflexed, subulate bract-like scale; rachis narrowly winged-angular, 6.5 cm and more long. Floral bracts reflexed, lanceolate-triangular, acute, concave, to 0.35 cm long. Flowers small. Median sepal subovate-elliptic, obtuse, somewhat concave, 3-nerved, 0.35 by 0.18 cm. Lateral sepals somewhat oblique, elliptic-ovate, obtuse, somewhat concave, 3-nerved, 0.33 by 0.18 cm. Petals somewhat oblique, ovate-rhombic, 0.33 by 0.18 cm, shortly subacuminate, subacute, somewhat concave, 1-nerved, base cuneate. Lip parallel with the column but a little longer, slightly incurved, somewhat concave, in outline elliptic-oblong, in total when flattened 0.3 cm long, 0.17 cm wide, shortly subobtuse triangular-acuminate, with two strong, parallel keels, these towards the apex rather thick with narrowed apices and extending from the base almost to the apex, lip 5-nerved, outer nerves at the very base united; basal auricles incurved, triangular, falcate, acuminate, somewhat acute, concave, 0.06 cm long. Column rather long, slightly curved, contracted at the base, dorsally above the base with a low obtusely angled hump, without a horn-like process, papillose except for the base and the wings, in front slightly channelled, 0.23 cm long; clinandrium small; wings porrect, elongated, distinctly surpassing the anther, contiguous, subulate, subobtuse, slightly curved; rostellum prolonged, somewhat shorter than the anther, triangular, obtuse. Anther very small, continuing the line of the column, slightly curved, oblong-ovate, obtuse, 0.03 cm long. Ovary 6-angular, 0.15 cm long, making an obtuse angle with the equally long, widely patent pedicel. (After Smith, 1915)
Colours: Flowers yellow.
Habitat: Terrestrial in montane forest.
Flowering time in the wild: May.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Indonesia). See map: 431-466M.JPG.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing terrestrial, requires shaded position.