Malaxis retusa (J.J.Sm.) P.F.Hunt, Kew Bull. 24 (1970) 84
Basionym: Microstylis retusa
Stem ascending, c. 8 cm long, c. 11-leaved. Leaves patent, obliquely ovate-lanceolate, slightly falcate, 4-5.5 cm long, 1.1-1.4 cm wide, acute, at the base strongly oblique, crispate, the three main nerves prominent underneath; petiole channelled, including the tubular sheath 1.5 cm long. Inflorescence erect, elongated, laxly many-flowered, peduncle c. 17 cm long, with distant, linear-subulate scales; rachis c. 9-cm long. Floral bracts reflexed, triangular-subulate, 0.2-0.3 cm long. Flowers small, 0.38 cm wide, 0.47 cm long, sepals and petals revolute. Median sepal pointing downwards, oblong-elliptic, with rounded apex, strongly convex, 3-nerved, 0.33 cm long, 0.15 cm wide. Lateral sepals obliquely elliptic, obtuse, strongly convex, 3-nerved, 0.28 cm long, 0.17 cm wide. Petals broadly linear, obtuse, retuse, strongly convex, margins revolute, 1-nerved, 0.26 cm long, 0.08 cm wide. Lip at base sagittate, in front on either side split into three teeth, the teeth becoming smaller outwards, shorter than the mid-lobe, the inner one linear, the outer ones very short, triangular or shortly acuminates; mid-lobe rather large, divided to the middle into two triangular, obtuse, falcate-incurved lobules; blade with an ovate pit with horseshoe-shaped-swollen margins; auricles parallel, narrowly triangular, somewhat acute, 0.2 cm long. Column short, slightly over 0.1 cm long; auricles rather long, obtuse; rostellum broad, shortly bidentate. Anther transversely elliptic, obtusely apiculate. Ovary pedicellate, , 6-angular, 0.55 cm long. (After Smith, 1909)
Colours: Not recorded.
Habitat: Terrestrial in hill forest; 700 m.
Flowering time in the wild: July, November.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Indonesia). See map: 431-365M.JPG.
Cultivation: Warm growing terrestrial, requires shaded position.