Microtatorchis torricellensis Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 1003
Type: Schlechter 20100 (holo B, lost)
Epiphytic, very small, 2.5-4.5 cm high, stemless. Roots filiform, flexuose, glabrous. Leaves erect-patent, lanceolate-ligulate, acuminate, 1-2.5 cm long, near the middle 0.2-0.3 cm wide. Inflorescence rather densely several- to many-flowered, gradually elongating, 2-3 times as long as the leaves, angular, the angles here and there dentate. Floral bracts deltoid, acuminate, shorter than the ovary, at the base on either side with a minute subulate appendage. Flowers minute, glabrous. Sepals and petals up to the middle connate into a bell-shaped tube, keeled outside, 0.2 cm long, free parts ovate, subobtuse. Lateral sepals oblique. Lip in outline narrowly ovate, obtuse, margins in the middle slightly incurved, in basal half hollowed out, a little shorter than the sepals; spur obovoid, at the apex with 4 humps, slightly more than half as long as the lip blade. Column short, with two almost horn-like auricles. Anther reniform-cucullate; pollinia obliquely oblongoid; stipe at the base slender, obovate, as long as the pollinia; viscidium oblong, rather large. Ovary 6-ribbed, with serrulate ribs, c. 0.1 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: 449-49M.JPG.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.