Malaxis latilabris (Schltr.) P.F.Hunt, Kew Bull. 24 (1970) 81
Basionym: Microstylis latilabris
Terrestrial, decumbent, up to 20 cm high. Rhizome elongated, stem-like; roots filiform, elongated, flexuose, puberulous. Stem elongated; ascending at the apex, many-leaved, terete, glabrous. Leaves erect-patent or patent, petiolate; blade obliquely lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, acute or acuminate, glabrous, with slightly undulate margins, 4-6 cm long, below the middle 1.5-2.5 cm wide; petiole dilated at the base, sheathing, 1.5-2 cm long. Inflorescence straight or nearly so, angular, with a few, bract-like, distant scales, glabrous; rachis densely many-flowered, up to 9 cm long. Floral bracts narrowly lanceolate, acute or acuminate, deflexed, usually longer than the ovary. Flowers patent, glabrous. Sepals oblong, obtuse, 0.25 cm long. Lateral sepals somewhat oblique. Petals linear-ligulate, obtuse, oblique, a little shorter than the sepals. Lip in outline transversely triangular, basal obtuse angles, slightly incurved, above the middle on either side with five lanceolate-falcate, acute, elongated teeth that become smaller towards the base; mid-lobe semiorbicular, minutely notched, distinctly shorter than the lateral teeth; basal pit lanceolate-oblong, with a horseshoe-shaped margin extending to below the apex of the lip. Lip in total 0.2 cm long, at the base 0.3 cm wide. Column short, rather thick. Anther subreniform, obtuse. Ovary with pedicel glabrous, 6-ribbed, c. 0.3 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)
Colours: Flowers carmine-red.
Habitat: Terrestrial in lowland forest; 200 m.
Flowering time in the wild: July.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 431-205M.JPG.
Cultivation: Warm growing terrestrial, requires shaded position.