Malaxis atrata (Schltr.) C.Schweinf. 1936 Type Drawing by © Schlechter and The Swiss Orchid Foundation at the Jany Renz Herbaria Website

Common Name The Dark Lustrous Black Malaxis

Flower Size

Found in New Guinea at elevations around 1200 meters as a medium sized, cool growing terrestrial with a short rhizome giving rise to an erect, short, somewhat thickened stem carrying about 5 to 6, erect-patent, elliptic to ovate-elliptic, acute to acuminate, glabrous, petiolate base leaves that blooms in the summer on a thin, erect, angled, glabrous, to 16" [40 cm] long, densely many flowered inflorescence with deflexed, narrowly lanceolate, acuminate, longer than the ovary floral bracts.

Schlechter states that the flowers are carmine red and the leaves are dark black green above and carmine red below.

Synonyms Crepidium atratum (Schltr.) Szlach. 1995; *Microstylis atrata Schltr. 1911

References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ; Orchidaceae of German New Guinea Schlechter 1911 as Microstylis atrata Drawing fide;

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