Malaxis dryadum (Schltr.) P.F.Hunt, Kew Bull. 24 (1970) 79
Basionym: Microstylis dryadum
Very small, terrestrial, c. 8 cm high. Roots filiform, flexuose. Stem short, at the very base covered with clasping sheaths, 2-3-leaved. Leaves erect or erect-patent, linear-lanceolate, acuminate, glabrous, somewhat narrowed towards the base, sheathing, 2-3.5 cm long, near the middle 0.4-0.6 cm wide. Inflorescence erect, somewhat terete, laxly few-flowered. Floral bracts minute, pendent, ovate, acuminate. Flowers erect-patent or erect, not resupinate. Median sepal broadly ovate, subobtuse, deflexed, 0.25 cm long. Lateral sepals erect, broadly ovate, subobtuse, oblique, almost as long as the median sepal. Petals obliquely linear, obtuse, pendent, about as long as the median sepal. Lip erect, long-auriculate, auricles linear-lanceolate, subacute; blade reniform, obtuse, margins quite entire, in near the middle the base with two divergent lamellae forming a V-shape; blade 0.2 cm long [excluding the auricles], 0.25 cm wide, auricles 0.1 cm long. Column short; rostellum truncate. Anther cordate, in front subobtuse. (After Schlechter, 1905)
Colours: Flowers greenish, lip yellowish (see Schlechter, 1911).
Habitat: Terrestrial in wet rocky places and on cliffs in lowland and lower montane forest, also epiphytic on the bases of trees; 300 to 1300 m.
Flowering time in the wild: January, March, June, July.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Indonesia); Papua New Guinea. See map: 431-125M.JPG.
Cultivation: Warm to intermediate growing terrestrial, requires shaded position.