Phreatia biechinata Ormerod, Oasis 2, 3 (2002) 9
Basionym: Phreatia congesta
Epiphytic, compact, 4-7 cm high. Rhizome very short; roots filiform, glabrous. Pseudobulbs broadly ovoid, 1-leaved, c. 0.3-0.4 cm high, below the middle 0.25-0.3 cm diam. Leaf erect, linear-ligulate, obliquely obtuse, minutely apiculate, 1.5-6 by 0.35-0.7 cm, gradually somewhat narrowed towards the base. Inflorescence erect, rather densely 8-12-flowered, including the slender peduncle c. 4 cm long. Floral bracts lanceolate, acuminate, as long as the ovary. Flowers [outside] glabrous. Sepals ovate, obtuse, 0.23 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique, towards the base along the front margin dilated. Petals obliquely ovate, obtuse, somewhat smaller than the sepals. Lip about as long as the sepals; claw shorter than the blade, square, concave; blade subreniform, obtuse, truncate blade, 0.13 by 1.4 cm, at the base with two papillose-puberulous patches. Column short; rostellum about as long as the clinandrium; pollinia obliquely obovoid; stipe linear, slightly more than half as long as the pollinia; viscidium minute. Ovary pedicellate, clavate, 0.18 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)
Colours: Flowers white.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 800 m.
Flowering time in the wild: September.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 549-292M.JPG.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.