Phreatia bicostata J.J.Sm., Bull. Dép. Agric. Indes Néerl. 19 (1908) 31
Type: Versteeg 1696 (holo BO)
Pseudobulbs close together, 2-leaved. Leaves very unequal in size. Peduncle-scales tubular, long subulate-acuminate. Rachis many-flowered, c. 11 cm long. Floral bracts at the base dilated, long subulate-acuminate, c. 0.3-O.6 cm long. Median sepal reflexed, apex recurved, ovate-triangular, subacute, strongly convex, 0.23 by 0.13 cm. Lateral sepals decurrent along the column-foot, obliquely triangular, subacute, c. 0.2 cm long, at the base 0.18 cm wide. Petals obliquely oblong-ovate, obtuse, at the base shortly clawed-narrowed, somewhat falcate, 0.18 cm long, just about 0.1 cm wide. Lip clawed, concave, when spread 0.17 by 0.2 cm, claw broadly oblong-linear, concave, at the base on either side with a low-triangular, obtuse patent lobule, inside with 2 longitudinal ribs; blade vertical, sagittate-crescent-shaped, in front rounded, apex with a low rounded acuminate lobule; basal lobules pointing downwards, obliquely subtriangular, obtuse. Column very short, 0.13 cm long; clinandrium deeply concave; rostellum bifid, with linear segments; column-foot parallel to the ovary, 0.1 cm long, with a long, free, incurved, narrowed apex. Anther broadly cordate, obtuse, connective swollen. Ovary pyriform, verrucose, 0.15 cm long; pedicel much thinner than the ovary, 0.2 cm long. (After Smith, 1909, and Smith, 1916)
Colours: Flower white.
Habitat: Epiphyte in montane forest; 1750 to 2600 m.
Flowering time in the wild: July, September, October, November, December.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Indonesia). See map: 549-15M.JPG.
Cultivation: Cool growing epiphyte.