Phreatia goliathensis J.J.Sm., Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg, sér. 2, 13 (1914) 73
Type: Kock, de 13 (holo BO)
Stem short, 4- to 5-leaved. Roots numerous, thin. Leaves erect-patent, linear, 3.25-10 by 0.58-0.73 cm, narrowed towards the apex, obtuse, unequally minutely bilobulate, with a conical mucro between the lobules, at the base long-narrowed and conduplicate, mid-rib channelled above, obtusely depressed below, above on either side of the mid-rib convex, somewhat fleshy; sheaths dilated, overlapping, tubular, in front torn open and slightly undulate, 0.6-0.9 cm long. Inflorescences axillary, erect, about as long as the leaves, shortly pedunculate, densely many-flowered, cylindrical, 5.5-9 cm long; peduncle 1.5-2 cm long; peduncle-scales c. 2, tubular, the upper one rather large, keeled, acute, 0.7-0.9 cm long. Floral bracts ovate, subobtuse or acute, strongly concave, 0.2 cm long. Flowers turned to all sides, very small, 0.15 cm wide. Median sepal orbicular-ovate, rounded, somewhat concave, 1-nerved, 0.07 by 0.06 cm. Lateral sepals strongly obliquely ovate, obtuse, apiculate, concave, keeled, 1-nerved, 0.07 cm long, at the base 0.08 cm wide; mentum very short, appressed to the ovary, broad, retuse. Petals widely patent, obliquely ovate, obtuse, retuse, convex, 1-nerved, 0.06 by 0.03 cm. Lip together with the column-foot forming a very short sac, concave, at the apex slightly recurved, spathulate, when flattened 0.08 cm long, 0.07 cm wide, 1-nerved, at the base with two calli that together form an almost crescent-shaped swelling; claw almost square; blade transversely rhombic, broadly obtuse. Column 0.04 cm long; clinandrium suborbicular, filament linear; rostellum rather shortly bidentate; stigma transversely semi-orbicular; column-foot pointing backwards, 0.03 cm long. Anther cucullate, reniform; pollinia 8, subglobose. Ovary thick, 0.07 cm long; Pedicel thinner, 0.04 cm long. (After Smith, 1916)
Colours: Flower white.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 175 to 1600 m.
Flowering time in the wild: March, August, September, October.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Indonesia). See map: 549-86M.JPG.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte, requires shaded position.