Phreatia trilobulata Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 912
Type: Schlechter 19362 (holo B, lost)
Epiphytic, very small, 3-4 cm high; roots filiform, glabrous. Stem almost lacking, 6-8-leaved. Leaves erect-patent, ligulate, minutely apiculate, at the base distinctly petiolate-narrowed, 1.5-2.5 cm long, near the middle 0.2-0.35 cm wide, sheaths overlapping, striate-veined, with broad margins, c. 0.4 cm long. Inflorescence shortly pedunculate, laxly many-flowered, usually shorter than the leaves, sometimes about as long as the leaves. Floral bracts lanceolate, acuminate, as long as the ovary. Flowers minute, glabrous. Sepals broadly ovate, obtuse, 0.08 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique. Petals obliquely oblong, obtuse, at the base along the front somewhat dilated, a little shorter than the sepals. Lip in outline square, somewhat narrowed towards the apex, apex obtusely trilobulate, i.e. bilobulate with a lobe-like apicule as large as the lateral lobules, in total 0.07 cm long and wide. Column short, cleistogamous without rostellum; clinandrium triangular, dorsally raised, foot short. Anther reniform-cucullate, umbonate. Ovary and pedicel clavate, 0.13 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)
Colours: Flowers light yellow.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lowland forest; 450 m.
Flowering time in the wild: May.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 549-270M.JPG.
Cultivation: Warm growing epiphyte.