Phreatia dendrochiloides Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 936
Type: Schlechter 17989 (syn B, lost); 19169 (syn B, lost; AMES)
Epiphytic, erect, very small, c. 6 cm high. Rhizome short; roots filiform, glabrous. Pseudobulbs c. 0.5 cm apart, ovoid, 2-leaved, 0.3-0.4 cm high, below the middle 0.15-0.2 cm diam. Leaves oblanceolate-ligulate, obtuse, gradually somewhat narrowed towards the base, 1.5-2 cm long, above the middle 0.25-0.35 cm wide. Inflorescence laxly 10-18-flowered, slender; peduncle slender with a few small scales, as long as the leaves; bracts lanceolate, acuminate, shorter than the ovary. Flowers very small, glabrous. Sepals ovate, obtuse, 0.18 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique, dilated in front. Petals obliquely ovate-ligulate, subobtuse, 0.13 cm long. Lip in basal half with an oblong-ligulate, somewhat concave claw; blade subquadrangular, apiculate, somewhat narrowed towards the apex. Column short; rostellum a little shorter than the obtuse clinandrium. Anther ovate-cordate; pollinia obliquely ovoid; stipe linear, as long as the pollinia; viscidium minute. Ovary and pedicel clavate, c. 0.3 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)
Colours: Flowers white.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 1000 m.
Flowering time in the wild: January, July.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 549-61M.JPG.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.