Malaxis macrotis

Malaxis macrotis (Kraenzl.) P.F.Hunt, Kew Bull. 24 (1970) 81

Basionym: Liparis macrotis

Leaves 5-6, at the base long petiolate; blade ovate-oblong, 3-6 cm long, 2-5 cm wide, sometimes asymmetric, acute, 3-nerved; petiole 1-2 cm long, sheathing at the base. Inflorescence 20-22 cm long, carrying flowers for almost half its length, the flowers falling off after anthesis. Floral bracts reflexed. Sepals 0.2 cm long. Median sepal ovate, acute. Lateral sepals ovate-oblong, more obtuse. Petals linear, almost 0.15 cm long, 0.05 cm wide, dilated towards the apex. Lip broadly oblong (trapezoid with rounded corners), almost 0.2 cm long and wide, obtuse, at the base on either side with a reflexed or ascending, acute auricle that is longer than the blade, on either side with a small lamella near the margin, in the middle of the blade with a pit. Column fairly thick, strongly curved, on either side with a fairly large quadrate wing. (After Kraenzlin in Schlechter, 1905, as Liparis macrotis Kraenzl.)

Colours: Flowers pale brownish.

Habitat: Terrestrial in hill forest; 600 m.

Flowering time in the wild: July.

Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).

Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 431-241M.JPG.

Cultivation: Warm growing terrestrial, requires shaded position.

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