Microtatorchis javanica J.J.Sm., Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg, sér. 2, 26 (1918) 115
Type: Bakhuizen v.d. Brink s.n. (X-1916, Tjidadap near Tjibeber); Winckel s.n. (I-1918) (BO) (iso L, probable: J.J. Smith cult s.n., 1917)
Epiphytic, very small, 1-2.5 cm high, stemless. Roots filiform, glabrous. Leaves 2-3, erect-patent, oblanceolate-elliptic, shortly acuminate or apiculate, 0.5-1.25 cm long, above the middle 0.2-0.4 cm wide. Inflorescence rather laxly several-flowered, peduncle about as long as the leaves, rachis flexuose, angular. Floral bracts elliptic acute, longer than the ovary. Flowers minute, glabrous. Sepals and petals in basal half connate into a bell-shaped tube, 0.2 cm long, free parts lanceolate, acuminate, keeled outside. Lip ovate-lanceolate, about as long as the sepals, basal half hollowed out, apex acute, apical margins thickened, apex itself terminating in a subulate, abruptly incurved appendage; spur globose, a third as long as the lip blade. Anther deeply bilobed; pollinia globose; stipe slender, dilated towards the apex, twice as long as the pollinia; viscidium suborbicular, rather large. Ovary 6-ribbed, glabrous, c. 0.13 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)
Colours: Flowers light green, becoming yellowish with age.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 1100 m.
Flowering time in the wild: January, July.
Distribution: Malesia (Peninsular Malaysia, Java, Borneo, New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 449-24M.JPG.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.