Microtatorchis acuminata

Microtatorchis acuminata Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 1004

Type: Schlechter 19699 (holo B, lost)

Epiphytic, very small, stemless, 2.5-5 cm high. Roots filiform, glabrous. Leaves c. 4, erect-patent, obliquely elliptic-ligulate or ligulate, acute, narrowed towards the base, 1.7-4.5 cm long, near the middle 0.35-0.6 cm wide. Inflorescence erect-patent, laxly 4-10-flowered, peduncle and rachis angular, not or only a little longer than the leaves. Floral bracts lanceolate, acute, longer than the ovary, at the base on either side with a subulate tooth. Flowers very small, glabrous. Sepals and petals in basal third connate into a bell-shaped tube, free parts lanceolate, strongly acuminate, about equally long, c. 0.3 cm long. Lip at the base broadly elliptic, near the middle on either side sublobed-angular, strongly acuminate, as long as the sepals, in basal third with a bilobed concavity; spur subglobose-obovoid, between a third and a fourth as long as the lip blade. Column very short, with two horn-like auricles. Ovary 6-ribbed, glabrous, 0.2 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)

Colours: Flowers nearly white.

Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 1000 to 1200 m.

Flowering time in the wild: June.

Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).

Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 449-1M.JPG.

Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.

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