Phreatia microtatantha Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 914
Type: Schlechter 17433 (holo B, lost; iso AMES, BO, L)
Epiphytic, erect, very small, 3-5 cm high; roots filiform, glabrous. Stem almost lacking, 6-12-leaved. Leaves erect-patent or suberect, more or less curved, linear, acute or distinctly apiculate, narrowed at the base, somewhat fleshy, 2-3.5 cm long, near the middle 0.2-0.3 cm wide. Inflorescence shortly pedunculate, laxly many-flowered, a third shorter or half as long as the leaves. Floral bracts lanceolate, acuminate, as long as the flowers or slightly longer. Flowers glabrous. Sepals broadly ovate, acuminate, 0.05 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique. Petals obliquely ovate, acute, 0.35 cm long. Lip at the base somewhat concave, oblong-square, towards the apex minutely dilated, apex broadly obtuse, slightly notched, 0.4 cm long, 0.25 cm wide at apex. Column very short; rostellum 3-lobed, apex shortly notched; clinandrium weakly 3-lobed, dorsally surpassing the rostellum. Anther broadly rhomboid-cucullate, umbonate; pollinia obliquely obovoid; stipe half as long; viscidium minute. Ovary pedicellate, clavate, c. 1 mm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)
Colours: Flowers yellowish white.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lowland forest; 500 m.
Flowering time in the wild: March.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 549-147M.JPG.
Cultivation: Warm growing epiphyte.