Malaxis hippocrepiformis J.J.Wood, Orchid Rev. 89 (1981) 209, fig.
Type: Sands (Sands, Pattison & Wood) 1740 (holo K)
Erect, almost glabrous, terrestrial, 24-38 cm high. Roots filiform, pilose. Stem 7-8 cm high, with one or two scarious, acuminate sheaths in the basal part, 3- to 4-leaved above. Leaves petiolate; blade obliquely ovate-elliptic to narrowly elliptic, 1.7 by 1.2 to 6.5 by 4 cm, margin undulate, apex acute; petiole sheathing, 0.7-1.5 cm long. Inflorescence 17-30 cm long; peduncle scales and floral bracts about narrowly elliptic, acuminate, reflexed, 0.5-O.6 cm long. Inflorescence rather dense. Flowers small. Median sepal oblong-elliptic, obtuse, 3-nerved, 0.45-0.5 by 0.2 cm. Lateral sepals obliquely ovate, obtuse, 3-nerved, 0.35 by 0.25 cm. Petals linear-ligulate, obtuse, 1-nerved, 0.45 by 0.08 cm. Lip horseshoe-shaped, somewhat fleshy, minutely papillose, 0.4 by 0.35 cm, auricles obtuse, c. 0.2 cm long, callus composed of two semi-circular, fleshy ridges, each most prominent towards the base. Column gently curving forward over the callus, 0.1 by 0.05 cm. Anther ovate, cucullate, obtuse. Ovary with pedicel cylindrical, indistinctly 6-ribbed, 0.4-0.5 cm long. (After Wood, 1981)
Colours: Leaves dark green above, paler grey-green below. Tepals, column and ovary pale apple green, lip and anther pale apricot, callus dark green.
Habitat: Terrestrial in montane forest; 2125 m.
Flowering time in the wild: September.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 431-165M.JPG.
Cultivation: Cool growing terrestrial, requires shaded position.