Phreatia constricta Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 16 (1919) 128
Basionym: Phreatia potamophila Schltr. (1913)
Epiphytic, 13-25 cm high. Rhizome very short; roots filiform, glabrous. Pseudobulbs subglobose, 2-leaved, c. 0.7 cm diam. Leaves erect-patent or suberect, ligulate, unequally and obtusely bilobulate, towards the base a little narrowed, 5-14 cm long, near the middle 1-1.5 cm wide. Inflorescence two or three times as long as the leaves, rather densely many-flowered, elongated, narrow; peduncle twice shorter than the leaves. Floral bracts lanceolate, suberect, about as long as the flowers. Flowers minute, glabrous. Sepals broadly elliptic, obtuse, about 0.15 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique, towards the base in front dilated. Petals obliquely elliptic, obtuse, c. 0.1 cm long. Lip about as long as the sepals, somewhat constricted in the middle; basal part broadly elliptic, concave; blade subreniform-orbicular. Column short; clinandrium distinctly overtopping the rostellum. Anther reniform-cucullate; pollinia obovoid; stipe linear, as long as the pollinia; viscidium minute. Ovary shortly pedicellate, clavate, c. 0.2 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)
Colours: Flowers white.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lowland forest; 100 to 250 m.
Flowering time in the wild: July, November.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 549-50M.JPG.
Cultivation: Warm growing epiphyte.