Phreatia coelonychia Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 943
Type: Schlechter 18189 (holo B, lost)
Epiphytic, erect, 10-15 cm high. Rhizome very short; roots filiform, glabrous. Pseudobulbs broadly ovoid, 1-2-leaved, 0.4-0.5 cm high, below the middle 0.3-0.4 cm diam. Leaves suberect, lanceolate-ligulate, acute, gradually narrowed towards the base, 7-12 cm long, near or above the middle 1.1-1.8 cm wide. Inflorescence rather laxly 20-25-flowered, cylindrical, suberect, about as long as the leaves. Floral bracts pendent, lanceolate, acuminate, several times shorter than the ovary. Flowers cleistogamous, very small, patent, glabrous. Sepals broadly ovate, subacute, 0.18 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique, at the base along the front margins dilated. Petals obliquely ovate, acute, a little shorter than the sepals. Lip as long as the sepals; claw short, semiglobose, concave; blade suborbicular, shortly acuminate, c. 0.13 cm long, 0.l cm wide. Column very short, without rostellum; clinandrium 3-lobed. Anther reniform-cucullate. Ovary shortly pedicellate, c. 0.3 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)
Colours: Flowers white.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 1300 m.
Flowering time in the wild: September.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 549-42M.JPG.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.