Phreatia seleniglossa Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 931
Type: Schlechter 18816 (holo B, lost)
Epiphytic, erect, very small, c. 3.5 cm high; roots filiform, glabrous. Stem short but distinct, densely leafy. Leaves erect-patent, linear-ligulate, unequally and obtusely bilobulate, 1-1.3 cm long, near the middle 0.2-0.28 cm wide. Inflorescence laxly 3-6-flowered, about half as long as the leaves; peduncle slender. Floral bracts deltoid, acuminate, clearly shorter than the ovary. Flowers very small, glabrous. Sepals broadly elliptic; obtuse, 0.13 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique, at the base in front somewhat dilated. Petals obliquely broadly ovate, obtuse, c. 0.1 cm long. Lip as long as the sepals; claw suborbicular; blade crescent-shaped, apex minutely apiculate, with obtuse corners, 0.08 cm long, at the base 0.13 cm wide. Column very short; rostellum shortly bidentate; clinandrium broadly triangular, obtuse, clearly overtopping the rostellum. Anther reniform-cucullate, apiculate, umbonate. Ovary pedicellate, clavate, 0.2-0.25 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)
Colours: Flowers white.
Habitat: Epiphyte in montane forest; 1800 m.
Flowering time in the wild: April, November.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 549-233M.JPG.
Cultivation: Cool growing epiphyte.