Microtatorchis lamii J.J.Sm., Nova Guinea 14 (1929) 500, pl. 84, fig. 138
Type: Lam 1665 a (syn L); 1665 b (syn BO)
Plant very small. Stem very short, creeping, rather thick, terete. Inflorescences axillary, erect, laxly many-flowered, producing flowers for a long time; peduncle 5-5.75 cm long, with c. 6-7 small scales which in the upper part resemble the bracts; rachis elongated, flexuose, 3.5-5 cm long, the internodes with two fairly conspicuous wings decurrent on the bracts, channelled, 0.23-0.28 cm long. Floral bracts distichous, erect-patent or patent, slightly incurved, at the apex hooked, strongly concave, triangular, 0.2 long, at the base obtuse, half clasping the rachis, with 3 dorsally prominent nerves, at the base on either side with a small, patent, triangular projection. Flowers 0.58 cm long, when cut open and flattened 0.45 cm wide. Sepals and petals shortly connate at the base, about oblong, narrowed towards the apex or almost acuminate, obtuse (in newly opened flowers more ovate and obtuse), dorsally thickened near the apex, 1-nerved. Median sepal 0.2 by almost 0.1 cm. Lateral sepals 0.23 by almost 0.1 cm. Petals more ovate, subacuminate or contracted, obtuse or subacute, about 0.2 by 0.1 cm. Lip spurred, in total 0.48 cm long; blade concave, 3-lobed, 4-nerved, when flattened obtriangular, acuminate, 0.2 cm long, across the lateral lobes 0.18 cm wide; lateral lobes erect, obliquely rounded-triangular, separated by a broad sinus from the mid-lobe; mid-lobe triangular, 0.04 cm long, truncate-obtuse, carnose, concave, with a V-shaped concavity, underneath convex; spur conspicuous, 0.33 cm long, pointing backwards, slightly incurved, making an acute angle with the ovary, conspicuously clavate, at the apex in front rounded-inflated. Column very short, bifid, together with the anther broadly 3-lobed; clinandrium concave, stigma lobes porrect, broad, orbicular-obovate, dorsally convex, underneath concave. Anther cucullate, 0.3 mm long, transversely rounded-quadrangular, contracted into a short quadrangular, truncate beak. Pollinia 2, obliquely elliptic; stipe spathulate, in the basal part very thin, dilated into a rhombic blade; viscidium large, oblong. Ovary 6-grooved, 0.24 cm long. (After Smith, 1929)
Colours: Roots pale brown. Leaf and stem greenish yellow or yellow. Flower light green when young, becoming yellow or orange-yellow, spur and ovary lighter.
Habitat: Terrestrial between stones on open summit; 3520 m.
Flowering time in the wild: October.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Indonesia). See map: 449-26M.JPG.
Cultivation: Cool growing terrestrial, requires light position.