Phreatia imitans Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 924
Type: Schlechter 16194 (holo B, lost)
Epiphytic, erect, very small, 6-10 cm high; roots filiform, glabrous. Stem almost lacking. Leaves falcate-ligulate, obtuse, gradually somewhat narrowed towards the base, 3-9 cm long, near the middle 0.5-0.9 cm wide. Inflorescence slender, rather laxly many-flowered, almost as long as the leaves; peduncle very slender with a few small scales, to 5 cm long. Floral bracts lanceolate, acuminate, as long as the ovary. Flowers minute, glabrous. Sepals broadly ovate, obtuse, about 0.08 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique, towards the base in front a little dilated. Petals very broadly and obliquely rhombic, obtuse, a little shorter than the sepals. Lip about as long as the sepals, with a short suborbicular claw; blade square-suborbicular, minutely apiculate, 0.05 cm long, at the base 0.07 cm wide. Column short; rostellum and clinandrium low. Anther reniform-cucullate; pollinia obliquely obovoid; stipe very short, linear; viscidium minute. Ovary pedicellate, clavate, glabrous, c. 0.18 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)
Colours: Leaves glaucous. Flowers probably white.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lowland forest; 250 m.
Flowering time in the wild: June.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 549-95M.JPG.
Cultivation: Warm growing epiphyte.