Malaxis umbonata (Schltr.) P.F.Hunt, Kew Bull. 24 (1970) 85
Basionym: Microstylis umbonata
Terrestrial, erect, 18-27 cm' high. Rhizome short; roots filiform, elongated, flexuose, puberulous. Stem short, erect or suberect, 4-6-leaved. Leaves erect-patent, petiolate; blade obliquely elliptic, acute or subacutely acuminate, at the base obliquely cuneate, glabrous on both sides, 3.5-5 cm long, at or below the middle 1.5-2 cm wide; petiole grooved, dilated at the base, sheathing, 2-2.5 cm long. Inflorescence slender, angular; rachis densely many-flowered, elongated, up to 12 cm long. Floral bracts deflexed, lanceolate, acuminate, shorter than the ovary. Flowers patent glabrous. Median sepal ovate, obtuse, apiculate, 0.4 cm long. Lateral sepals obliquely and broadly elliptic, obtuse, a little shorter than the median sepal. Petals obliquely linear-ligulate, obtuse, 0.35 cm long. Lip reniform, 0.2 cm long [excluding the auricles], at the base 0.35 cm wide, subapiculate, adorned with two slightly falcate ribs extending from base to apex and there merging; auricles obliquely subfalcate-lanceolate, subparallel, subacute, 0.2 cm long. Column short, dorsally in the middle with a short, conical, obtuse umbo, glabrous, stelidia in front obliquely truncate. Anther ovate-cordate, cucullate, subobtuse, glabrous. Ovary with pedicel cylindrical, 6-ribbed, glabrous, 0.45 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)
Colours: Flowers golden yellow, column at the apex green-blue.
Habitat: Terrestrial in lowland forest; 300 m.
Flowering time in the wild: November.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 431-447M.JPG.
Cultivation: Warm growing terrestrial, requires shaded position.