Octarrhena wariana Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 902
Type: Schlechter 19784 (holo B, lost)
Epiphytic, erect, very small, 2-5 cm high. Roots filiform, glabrous. Stem unbranched, straight or slightly flexuose, densely leafy, covered with the leaf-sheaths. Leaves erect-patent, equitant, linear, acute, 0.6-1.5 cm long, 0.1-0.15 cm wide. Inflorescence rather densely several- to many-flowered, gradually elongated, ultimately longer than the leaves, slender. Floral bracts ovate, acuminate, about as long as the ovary. Flowers minute, glabrous. Sepals broadly ovate, obtuse, 0.08 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique. Petals broadly elliptic, oblique, broadly obtuse, half as long as the sepals. Lip broadly elliptic, obtuse, below the middle on either side with obtuse, subrhombic-angular margins, hardly larger than the petals. Column short, thick, rostellum triangular, bidentate, low, clinandrium dorsally widened. Anther reniform-cucullate, glabrous, umbonate. Ovary and pedicel short, clavate, c. 0.13 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)
Colours: Flowers orange-brown.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 1200 m.
Flowering time in the wild: June.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 486-58M.JPG.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.