Malaxis paguroides (Schltr.) P.F.Hunt, Kew Bull. 24 (1970) 83
Basionym: Microstylis paguroides
Terrestrial, ascending, branched, 10-17 cm high. Rhizome elongated, stem-like; roots filiform, elongated, flexuose, puberulous. Stem elongated, densely leafy, terete, glabrous. Leaves erect-patent or patent, petiolate; blade obliquely lanceolate, acute, with undulate margins, 2-5 cm long, below the middle 0.7-1.5 cm wide; petiole dilated at the base, sheathing, 0.5-1.5 cm long. Inflorescence slender, straight or nearly so, angular, with a few small, distant, bract-like scales or sometimes without scales; rachis rather densely several- to many-flowered, up to 5 cm long. Floral bracts linear-lanceolate, acuminate, deflexed, almost as long as the ovary. Flowers patent, glabrous. Sepals broadly oblong, obtuse, 0.3 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique. Petals linear-ligulate, obtuse, oblique, a little shorter than the sepals. Lip long-sagittate-auriculate; blade 3-lobed above the middle, 0.15 cm long, at the middle 0.25 cm wide; lateral lobes divided into four teeth, the outer one pointing outwards, acute, the other three filiform-elongated, 0.15-0.2 cm long; mid-lobe semiorbicular, very small, bifid, the segments overlapping, forceps-like; pit broadly oblong, extending from the base of the lip to above the middle, its margins horseshoe-shaped-thickened; basal auricles subfalcate-lanceolate, acute, at the apex approximating, 0.2 cm long. Column short, rather thick. Anther subreniform, obtuse, glabrous. Ovary with pedicel glabrous, 6-ribbed, 0.3 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)
Colours: Whole plant deep wine-red.
Habitat: Terrestrial in lowland forest; 450 m.
Flowering time in the wild: May.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 431-309M.JPG.
Cultivation: Warm growing terrestrial, requires shaded position.