Phreatia tenuis Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 921
Type: Schlechter 20125 (holo B, lost)
Epiphytic, erect, slender, c. 6 cm high; roots filiform, glabrous. Stem almost lacking, c. 4-leaved. Leaves erect-patent, linear, obtuse, 3.5-5.5 cm long, 0.2-0.3 cm wide near the middle. Inflorescence erect-patent, laxly 10-15-flowered, secund, very slender; peduncle with a few small scales, as long as the rachis, c. 3 cm long. Floral bracts patent, lanceolate, acuminate, as long as the pedicel. Flowers minute, glabrous. Sepals very broadly elliptic, apiculate, almost 0.08 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique, towards the base in front somewhat dilated. Petals broadly elliptic, acute, somewhat oblique, a little shorter than the sepals. Lip suborbicular, shortly acuminate, 0.07 cm long, near the middle 0.06 cm wide. Column short; rostellum bidentate, short; clinandrium tridentate, low. Anther reniform-cucullate, umbonate. Ovary slender pedicellate, clavate, c. 0.3 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)
Colours: Flowers white.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 800 m.
Flowering time in the wild: September.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea. See map: 549-265M.JPG.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.