Malaxis warapussae (Schltr.) P.F.Hunt, Kew Bull. 24 (1970) 85
Basionym: Microstylis warapussae
Terrestrial, at the base decumbent, ascending, erect, up to 30 cm high. roots filiform, elongated, villose. Stem terete, glabrous, decumbent part rooting, in upper part many-leaved. Leaves obliquely lanceolate, acute or acuminate, plicate, glabrous on both sides, erect-patent or patent, petiolate, 4-8 cm long, below the middle 1.5-2.5 cm wide; petiole dilated at the base, sheathing, 2-3.5 cm long. Inflorescence erect, subangular, raceme cylindrical, elongated, rather laxly many-flowered. Floral bracts linear-lanceolate, acuminate, deflexed, 0.3-0.4 cm long. Flowers erect-patent, not resupinated. Median sepal oblong, subobtuse, deflexed, 0.25 cm long. Lateral sepals obliquely ovate, subobtuse, as long as the median sepal, but a little broader, reflexed. Petals linear, subobtuse, reflexed, as long as the median sepal. Lip erect, long-auriculate, auricles falcate-linear, acute; blade reniform, apex shortly notched, margins in apical third with 4 linear-falcate teeth, in the middle with a double falcate callus extending from the base to the apex, decurrent in front. Column short, stelidia curved-divergent. Anther subreniform, apex obtuse. Ovary clavate, 0.4-0.5 cm long, glabrous. (After Schlechter, 1905)
Colours: Flowers dark violet or red-brown, leaves with narrow red margins.
Habitat: Terrestrial in lowland forest; 150 to 200 m.
Flowering time in the wild: September, December.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 431-467M.JPG.
Cultivation: Warm growing terrestrial, requires shaded position.