Microtatorchis muriculata

Microtatorchis muriculata Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 1002

Type: Schlechter 20222 (holo B, lost)

Epiphytic, very small, 3-5 cm high, stemless. Roots filiform, flexuose, glabrous. Leaves erect-patent, c. 4, lanceolate-ligulate, acute or acuminate, 1.3-1.7 cm high, near the middle 0.25-0.35 cm wide. Inflorescence erect-patent, twice or more than twice as long as the leaves; peduncle and rachis densely covered with short subulate muriculate appendages, laxly several-flowered, angular. Floral bracts deltoid, as long as the ovary, acuminate, at the base on either side with an about equally long subulate tooth. Flowers minute, glabrous, sepals and petals in basal third connate into a bell-shaped tube, about equally long, 0.23 cm long, keeled outside, free parts of the sepals lanceolate, subacute, those of the petals obliquely ovate, subobtuse. Lip in outline lanceolate, acute, as long as the sepals, margins in basal third on either side with a broadly triangular, incurved, thickened lobule; spur broadly obovoid, at the apex with four humps, one third as long as the lip. Column very short, with two distinct auricles. Anther obovoid-cucullate, retuse. Ovary 6-ribbed, the ribs with backwards pointing teeth, 0.18 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)

Colours: Flowers yellowish green.

Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 800 m.

Flowering time in the wild: September.

Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).

Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 449-30M.JPG.

Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.

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