Phreatia kaniensis Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 917
Type: Schlechter 16529 (holo B, lost; iso BO, L)
Epiphytic, erect, 11-18 cm high; roots filiform, glabrous. Stem almost lacking, 4-6-leaved. Leaves erect-patent, linear, obliquely pointed, slightly narrowed towards the base, somewhat fleshy, dorsally keeled, 11-23 cm long, near the middle 0.4-1 cm wide; sheaths striate rugulose, with hyaline margins, to more than 1 cm long. Inflorescence densely many-flowered, elongated, erect, 11 cm long including the short peduncle which carries a few small scales. Floral bracts patent, acuminate, usually a little longer than the ovary. Flowers very small, glabrous, not resupinate. Sepals ovate, subobtuse, 0.08 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique, the front margins towards the base a little dilated. Petals obliquely oblong, obtuse, c. 0.6 cm long; lip at the base subcuneate-oblong, shortly rhombic, apiculate, 0.65 cm long, near the apex 0.5 cm wide. Column short; rostellum very short, bidentate; clinandrium dorsally triangular, distinctly surpassing the rostellum. Anther reniform-cucullate, umbonate; pollinia obliquely obovoid; stipe linear, as long as the pollinia; viscidium very small, orbicular. Ovary subsessile, cylindrical, 0.1 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)
Colours: Flowers greenish white.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 700 to 1000 m.
Flowering time in the wild: February, September.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 549-101M.JPG.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.