Phreatia djamuensis Schltr., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 58 (1923) 149
Basionym: Phreatia stipulata Schltr. Feddes Repert. Beih. 1 (1913) 928, non 912
Epiphytic, erect, 10-14 cm high; roots filiform, glabrous Stem very short, hidden by the leaf-sheaths. Leaves linear, obliquely apiculate, at the base distinctly petiolate-narrowed, 3.5-6.5 cm long, 0.25-0.35 cm wide; sheaths striate, at the apex on either side with an oblong, stipule-like projection. Inflorescence densely many-flowered, elongated, almost twice as long as the leaves; peduncle very slender, as long as the leaves, with a few small, distant scales. Floral bracts acuminate, almost as long as the flowers. Flowers very small, glabrous. Sepals ovate, obtuse, slightly more than 0.1 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique, towards the base in front somewhat dilated. Petals obliquely ovate, subacute, almost as long as the sepals. Lip with a broadly ovate, somewhat concave claw, 0.05 cm wide; blade about as long as the claw, semiorbicular, obtuse, at the base 0.07 cm wide. Column short; rostellum shortly bidentate; clinandrium broadly triangular obtuse, slightly overtopping the rostellum. Anther reniform-cucullate; pollinia obliquely obovoid; stipe narrowly linear, about as long as the pollinia; viscidium minute, rounded. Ovary pedicellate, glabrous, clavate, 0.25 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)
Colours: Flowers white.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lowland forest; 350 m.
Flowering time in the wild: November.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 549-68M.JPG.
Cultivation: Warm growing epiphyte.