Phreatia urostachya

Phreatia urostachya Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 927

Type: Schlechter 20345 (holo B, lost); para: Schlechter 16950 (AMES, L); 19173 (AMES, L); 19755; 19827

Epiphytic, erect, 8-17 cm high; roots filiform, glabrous. Stem almost lacking, hidden by the leaf-sheaths, 4-6-leaved. Leaves suberect, linear, unequally and obtusely bilobulate, towards the base slightly narrowed, 5-8 cm long, near the middle 0.4-0.6 cm wide. Inflorescence densely many-flowered to near the base, tail-like elongated, more or less overtopping the leaves. Floral bracts ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, about as long as the flowers. Flowers minute, not resupinate, glabrous. Sepals broadly ovate, obtuse, about 0.08 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique, towards the base in front somewhat dilated. Petals obliquely suborbicular-spathulate, broadly obtuse, about 0.08 cm long. Lip as long as the sepals; claw square-clawed, somewhat concave; blade abruptly dilated, semi-orbicular, broadly obtuse, 0.06 cm long, at the base 0.1 cm wide. Column short; rostellum bidentate, as long as the low clinandrium. Anther reniform-cucullate, umbonate; pollinia obliquely obovoid; stipe about half as long, linear; viscidium very small, orbicular. Ovary sessile, cylindrical, 0.13 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)

Colours: Flowers white.

Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 600 to 1200 m.

Flowering time in the wild: January, June, September, December.

Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).

Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 549-273M.JPG.

Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.

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