Phreatia densissima J.J.Sm., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 12 (1913) 26
Type: Gjellerup 1075 (holo BO; iso L)
Stem short, 1-1.5 cm long, c. 5- to 7-leaved. Roots numerous, thin, flexuose. Leaves strap-shaped, at the apex narrowed, unequally bidentate or acute, narrowed at the base and conduplicate, on either side of the mid-vein convex above, fleshy, 2-8.75 by 0.65-0.9 cm; sheaths tubular, transversely rugulose, fleshy, 0.5-2 cm long. Inflorescences axillary, very densely many-flowered, subcylindrical; peduncle-scales small, appressed, tubular, acute or acuminate, almost entirely covering the 1.1-1.4 cm long peduncle; rachis angular, 1.1-2.4 cm long, when fruiting to 3.75 cm long. Floral bracts appressed, oblong-rhombic, gradually pointed, acute, concave, 0.28 cm long. Flowers 0.17 cm long. Median sepal semi-elliptic, indistinctly 5-angled, obtuse, concave, 1-nerved, 0.13 cm long, slightly more than 0.1 cm wide. Lateral sepals obliquely triangular, obtuse, concave, slightly more than 0.1 cm long, 0.15 cm wide; mentum short, obtuse, 0.03 cm long. Petals obliquely ovate, at the apex recurved, subobtuse, 1-nerved, 0.08 cm long, almost 0.05 cm wide. Lip slightly sigmoid, concave, broadly spathulate, 0.13 cm long, 3-nerved; claw broad, slightly dilated at the base, claw slightly more than 0.05 cm long; blade transversely rhombic, 0.1 cm wide, in front broadly and indistinctly 3-lobulate, with broadly obtuse apex, the lateral angles obtuse. Column making an obtuse angle with the ovary, short, dorsally convex, 0.06 cm long; clinandrium concave, filament oblong; rostellum short, broad, bidentate; stigma almost semi-orbicular; column-foot making an acute angle with the ovary, almost 0.03 cm long. Anther cucullate, semi-orbicular-reniform, broadly obtuse, 0.05 cm wide. Ovary oblong-obconical, including the much thinner and short pedicel 0.2 cm long. (After Smith, 1916)
Colours: Flower greenish white.
Habitat: Epiphyte in montane forest; 800 to 2100 m.
Flowering time in the wild: April, December.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Indonesia). See map: 549-65M.JPG.
Cultivation: Cool growing epiphyte.