Microtatorchis musciformis Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 1002
Type: Schlechter 17841 (holo B, lost)
Epiphytic, very small, 1-1.5 cm high, stemless. Roots filiform, flexuose, glabrous. Leaves 2-3, erect-patent, elliptic, apiculate, 0.6-0.8 cm long, near the middle 0.25-0.35 cm wide. Inflorescence rather laxly few- to several-flowered, twice or more than twice as long as the leaves; peduncle and rachis with numerous subulate, moss-like rough-prickly appendages, angular. Floral bracts deltoid, acute, as long as the ovary. Flowers minute, glabrous. Sepals and petals connate to below the middle into a bell-shaped tube, 0.15 cm long, free parts lanceolate, acuminate, slightly keeled outside. Lateral sepals oblique. Lip in outline broadly elliptic, subobtuse, above the middle sublobed-dilated, somewhat fleshy, 0.13 cm long; spur obliquely obovoid, 0.08 cm long, broadly obtuse. Ovary sharply 3-ribbed, 0.1 cm long, ribs serrulate. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)
Colours: Flowers light green.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 1000 m.
Flowering time in the wild: June.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 449-31M.JPG.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.