Malaxis dolichostachys (Schltr.) W.Kittr., Bot. Mus. Leafl. 30 (1984, publ. 1985) 96
Basionym: Microstylis dolichostachys
Plant 35-45 cm tall. Stem erect, cylindrical, 8-9-leaved, c. 10 cm long, more or less hidden by the leaf-sheaths. Leaves erect-patent, petiolate; blade obliquely elliptic, 7-9 by 3 cm, acuminate, base long cuneate, margins slightly undulate; petiole dilated at the base, sheathing, 2-3 cm long. Inflorescence erect, angular, slender, 35 cm long; rachis much elongated, much exceeding the upper leaves, to 25 cm long, erect. Floral bracts deflexed, lanceolate, acuminate, usually shorter than the pedicellate ovary. Flowers c. 0.6 cm diam., erect-patent. Sepals oblong, obtuse, the lateral sepals oblique. Petals obliquely ligulate, obtuse, only a little shorter than the sepals. Lip at the base deeply sagittate, in outline suborbicular, above the middle 3-lobed, lateral lobes rounded, between the lateral lobes and the mid-lobe with three triangular teeth; mid-lobe semioblong, split to near the middle; basal pit narrowly oblong, surrounded by an indistinct thickening; basal auricles obliquely lanceolate-ligulate, obtuse, almost parallel, half as long as the blade. Column short. Ovary 6-ribbed, slender pedicellate, 0.6-0.7 cm long including the pedicel. (After Schlechter, 1922)
Colours: Flowers carmine red with greenish yellow tips.
Habitat: Terrestrial in lowland forest; 400 to 500 m.
Flowering time in the wild: August.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 431-124M.JPG.
Cultivation: Warm growing terrestrial, requires shaded position.