Malaxis microhybos (Schltr.) P.F.Hunt, Kew Bull. 24 (1970) 82
Basionym: Microstylis microhybos
Epiphytic, erect, c. 20 cm high. Rhizome short; roots elongated, flexuose, puberulous. Stem up to 7 cm long, up to the apex c. 5-leaved. Leaves erect-patent or suberect, petiolate, strongly oblique, lanceolate or elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate, 3.5-7 cm long, below the middle 1.4-2.2 cm wide; petiole dilated at the base, sheathing, 2-3 cm long. Inflorescence slender, carrying flowers in upper third. Floral bracts lanceolate-subulate, sharply acute, usually more or less longer than the ovary, patent or pendent. Flowers erect-patent, glabrous. Sepals ovate, subobtuse. Median sepal 0.4 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique, 0.3 cm long. Petals obliquely linear-lanceolate, subobtuse, as long as the lateral sepals. Lip ovate-sagittate, 0.2 cm long [excluding the auricles], at the base 0.25 cm wide, glabrous, blade in front with slightly incurved margins, acute, with two ribs separated by a very small pit, the ribs decurrent from above the middle to the base and gradually vanishing; auricles short, falcate-triangular, acute, c. 0.1 cm long. Column short, dorsally thickened towards the base and at the base with a very small, backwards pointing, low outgrowth; stelidia porrect, subcuspidate-lobulate. Anther cordate-ovate, obtuse, cucullate, with a narrow, ligulate umbo. Ovary cylindrical, 8-ribbed, glabrous, c. 0.3 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)
Colours: Flowers grass green, lip with a dark greenish-blue groove and apex of column.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest, growing in shaded positions; 1200 m.
Flowering time in the wild: June.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 431-260M.JPG.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte, requires shaded position.