Malaxis nephroglossa (Schltr.) P.F.Hunt, Kew Bull. 24 (1970) 82
Basionym: Microstylis nephroglossa
Terrestrial, decumbent, up to 10 cm high. Rhizome elongated, stem-like; roots filiform, elongated, flexuose, puberulous. Stem elongated, ascending at the apex, many-leaved. Leaves erect-patent, petiolate; blade obliquely ovate-lanceolate, acute or subacute, with more or less undulate margins, glabrous, 2-3 cm long, below the middle 0.7-1.3 cm wide; petiole dilated at the base, sheathing, 0.5-1.3 cm long. Inflorescence erect, slender, straight or nearly so, angular, with a few small bract-like scales, glabrous; rachis rather densely several- to many-flowered, up to 6 cm long. Floral bracts deflexed, narrowly lanceolate, acute, usually shorter than the ovary. Flowers usually cleistogamous, patent, glabrous. Sepals broadly ovate, obtuse, c. 0.2 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique. Petals obliquely lanceolate-ligulate, obtuse, a little shorter than the sepals. Lip in outline broadly reniform, at the base very broad, c. 0.3 cm wide, 0.15 cm [‘1.5 cm’] long, basal angles obtuse, in front on either side of the mid-lobe with five short triangular teeth; mid-lobe semiorbicular, shortly notched, hardly surpassing the lateral teeth; basal pit oblong, its margins thickened, decurrent to below the apex. Column short, rather thick. Anther reniform, obtuse. Ovary with pedicel glabrous, clavate, c. 0.3 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)
Colours: Flowers dark purple with oblong, green, transparent dots on the petals.
Habitat: Terrestrial in lower montane forest; 1000 m.
Flowering time in the wild: May.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 431-286M.JPG.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing terrestrial, requires shaded position.