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Phreatia goliathensis

Phreatia goliathensis

Phreatia goliathensis J.J.Sm., Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg, sér. 2, 13 (1914) 73

Type: Kock, de 13 (holo BO)

Stem short, 4- to 5-leaved. Roots numerous, thin. Leaves erect-patent, linear, 3.25-10 by 0.58-0.73 cm, narrowed towards the apex, obtuse, unequally minutely bilobulate, with a conical mucro between the lobules, at the base long-narrowed and conduplicate, mid-rib channelled above, obtusely depressed below, above on either side of the mid-rib convex, somewhat fleshy; sheaths dilated, overlapping, tubular, in front torn open and slightly undulate, 0.6-0.9 cm long. Inflorescences axillary, erect, about as long as the leaves, shortly pedunculate, densely many-flowered, cylindrical, 5.5-9 cm long; peduncle 1.5-2 cm long; peduncle-scales c. 2, tubular, the upper one rather large, keeled, acute, 0.7-0.9 cm long. Floral bracts ovate, subobtuse or acute, strongly concave, 0.2 cm long. Flowers turned to all sides, very small, 0.15 cm wide. Median sepal orbicular-ovate, rounded, somewhat concave, 1-nerved, 0.07 by 0.06 cm. Lateral sepals strongly obliquely ovate, obtuse, apiculate, concave, keeled, 1-nerved, 0.07 cm long, at the base 0.08 cm wide; mentum very short, appressed to the ovary, broad, retuse. Petals widely patent, obliquely ovate, obtuse, retuse, convex, 1-nerved, 0.06 by 0.03 cm. Lip together with the column-foot forming a very short sac, concave, at the apex slightly recurved, spathulate, when flattened 0.08 cm long, 0.07 cm wide, 1-nerved, at the base with two calli that together form an almost crescent-shaped swelling; claw almost square; blade transversely rhombic, broadly obtuse. Column 0.04 cm long; clinandrium suborbicular, filament linear; rostellum rather shortly bidentate; stigma transversely semi-orbicular; column-foot pointing backwards, 0.03 cm long. Anther cucullate, reniform; pollinia 8, subglobose. Ovary thick, 0.07 cm long; Pedicel thinner, 0.04 cm long.
(After Smith, 1916)


Flower white.

Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 175 to 1600 m.

Malesia (New Guinea).

Papua (Indonesia). See map

distribution map

Intermediate growing epiphyte, requires shaded position.

March, August, September, October.

  • Smith, J.J., Nova Guinea 12, 4 (1916) 437, t. 167, fig. 313
  • Family Orchidaceae
  • Subfamily Epidendroideae
  • Tribe Podochileae
  • Subtribe Thelasiinae
  • Genus Phreatia
  • Section Rhizophyllum
  • Species Phreatia goliathensis

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Phreatia goliathensis

Phreatia goliathensis J.J.Sm., floral analysis, drawing J.J. Smith, from de Kock 13

Phreatia goliathensis

Phreatia goliathensis J.J.Sm., floral analysis, drawing J.J. Smith, from Docters van Leeuwen 10018

Phreatia goliathensis

Phreatia goliathensis J.J.Sm., floral analysis, drawing J.J. Smith, from Mayr 598

Phreatia goliathensis

Phreatia goliathensis J.J.Sm., habit, drawing Natadipoera, from de Kock 13