Octarrhena macgregorii (Schltr.) Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 901
Basionym: Chitonanthera macgregorii
Epiphytic, decumbent to ascending, rooting, branching. Stems and branches slender, terete, entirely covered by the persistent leaf-sheaths, laxly leaved. Leaves patent, articulated with the sheaths, subulate-filiform, acute, glabrous, 1-1.8 cm long. Inflorescences arising from the leaf-axils, erect-patent, almost distichous, rather laxly 10-20-flowered, a little longer than the leaves. Floral bracts lanceolate, acuminate, glabrous, as long as the flowers. Flowers erect-patent. Sepals patent, ovate, subobtuse, glabrous, about 0.1 cm long. Lateral sepals slightly oblique. Petals obliquely oblong, obtuse, erect-patent, about 3 times shorter than the sepals. Lip as long as the petals, suborbicular, obtusely and shortly acuminate, with concave-incurved margins, glabrous. Column short, cylindrical; stigma small; rostellum large. Anther about reniform, subobtuse. Ovary shortly pedicellate, clavate, glabrous, about 0.1 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1906)
Colours: Not recorded for the type; flowers orange in specimens that are belived to be attributable to this species.
Habitat: Epiphyte in subalpine forest; 3500 to 3800 m.
Flowering time in the wild: June.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea, endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 486-35M.JPG.
Cultivation: Cool growing epiphyte.