Phreatia sororia Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 913
Type: Schlechter 16154 (holo B, lost); para: Schlechter 17958 (B, lost)
Epiphytic, very small, 3-4.5 cm high; roots filiform, glabrous. Stem almost lacking, 6-8-leaved. Leaves subpatent, ligulate, minutely apiculate, at the base gradually petiolate-narrowed, 1.7-3 cm long, at or above the middle 0.3-0.4 cm wide; sheaths hardly striate, with broad margins, to 0.4 cm long. Inflorescence shortly pedunculate, erect, densely many-flowered, as long as the leaves or a little longer. Floral bracts lanceolate, acuminate, surpassing the ovary. Flowers minute, glabrous, patent. Sepals oblong, subacute, 0.08 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique, basal margins below the middle dilated. Petals patent, obliquely oblong, subacute, 0.05 cm long. Lip oblong-square, about as long as the sepals, 0.3-0.5 mm wide, margins slightly undulate, apex obtuse, apiculate. Column very short, rostellum and clinandrium low, foot short. Anther reniform-cucullate, in front truncate; pollinia obliquely obovoid, about as long as the stipe, linear; viscidium very small, orbicular. Ovary pedicellate, glabrous, clavate, 0.13 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)
Colours: Flowers whitish.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lowland forest; 150 to 600 m.
Flowering time in the wild: May, June, July, November, December.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 549-242M.JPG.
Cultivation: Warm growing epiphyte.