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Phreatia densissima

Phreatia densissima

Phreatia densissima J.J.Sm., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 12 (1913) 26

Type: Gjellerup 1075 (holo BO; iso L)

Stem short, 1-1.5 cm long, c. 5- to 7-leaved. Roots numerous, thin, flexuose. Leaves strap-shaped, at the apex narrowed, unequally bidentate or acute, narrowed at the base and conduplicate, on either side of the mid-vein convex above, fleshy, 2-8.75 by 0.65-0.9 cm; sheaths tubular, transversely rugulose, fleshy, 0.5-2 cm long. Inflorescences axillary, very densely many-flowered, subcylindrical; peduncle-scales small, appressed, tubular, acute or acuminate, almost entirely covering the 1.1-1.4 cm long peduncle; rachis angular, 1.1-2.4 cm long, when fruiting to 3.75 cm long. Floral bracts appressed, oblong-rhombic, gradually pointed, acute, concave, 0.28 cm long. Flowers 0.17 cm long. Median sepal semi-elliptic, indistinctly 5-angled, obtuse, concave, 1-nerved, 0.13 cm long, slightly more than 0.1 cm wide. Lateral sepals obliquely triangular, obtuse, concave, slightly more than 0.1 cm long, 0.15 cm wide; mentum short, obtuse, 0.03 cm long. Petals obliquely ovate, at the apex recurved, subobtuse, 1-nerved, 0.08 cm long, almost 0.05 cm wide. Lip slightly sigmoid, concave, broadly spathulate, 0.13 cm long, 3-nerved; claw broad, slightly dilated at the base, claw slightly more than 0.05 cm long; blade transversely rhombic, 0.1 cm wide, in front broadly and indistinctly 3-lobulate, with broadly obtuse apex, the lateral angles obtuse. Column making an obtuse angle with the ovary, short, dorsally convex, 0.06 cm long; clinandrium concave, filament oblong; rostellum short, broad, bidentate; stigma almost semi-orbicular; column-foot making an acute angle with the ovary, almost 0.03 cm long. Anther cucullate, semi-orbicular-reniform, broadly obtuse, 0.05 cm wide. Ovary oblong-obconical, including the much thinner and short pedicel 0.2 cm long.
(After Smith, 1916)


Flower greenish white.

Epiphyte in montane forest; 800 to 2100 m.

Malesia (New Guinea).

Papua (Indonesia). See map

distribution map

Cool growing epiphyte.

April, December.

  • Smith, J.J., Nova Guinea 12, 4 (1916) 438, t. 168, fig. 314
  • Family Orchidaceae
  • Subfamily Epidendroideae
  • Tribe Podochileae
  • Subtribe Thelasiinae
  • Genus Phreatia
  • Section Rhizophyllum
  • Species Phreatia densissima

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Phreatia densissima

Phreatia densissima J.J.Sm., floral analysis, drawing J.J. Smith, from Gjellerup 1075

Phreatia densissima

Phreatia densissima J.J.Sm., habit, drawing Natadipoera, from Gjellerup 1075

Phreatia densissima

Phreatia densissima J.J.Sm., floral analysis, drawing J.J. Smith, from Gibbs 5550

Phreatia densissima

Phreatia densissima J.J.Sm., habit, drawing M. Soemawinata, from Gibbs 5550

Phreatia densissima

Phreatia densissima J.J.Sm., herbarium sheet, Gjellerup 1075 (isotype specimen L)