Phreatia tahitensis Lindl. 1858

Drawing by Ames and The Swiss Orchid Foundation at the Jany Renz Herbaria Website

Common Name The Tahiti Phreatia

Flower Size .16" [4 mm]

Found in the Caroline Islands [Pohnpei] and the Society Islands [Tahiti] as well as the Philippines [P prorepens] in ridge forests at elevations of 1700 to 1800 meters as a mini-miniature sized, cool growing epiphyte with a repent rhizome giving rise to an erect stem giving rise to 1 to 2, oblong-lanceolate, coriaceous leaves that blooms in the fall on a slender, erect, peduncle provided with scarious, at intervalls, longer below, shorter above, tubular, truncate, apiculate bracts, rachis 1.2" [3 cm] long, several flowered inflorescence with linear-lanceolate, scarious floral bracts and carrying white, fragrant flowers

CAUTION! The description above was built upon the description fopr P prorepens.

Synonyms Eria prorepens Rchb.f. 1878; Eria tahitensis (Lindl.) Rchb.f. 1876; Phreatia ponapensis Schltr. 1921; Phreatia prorepens Rchb.f. 1878; Pinalia prorepens (Rchb.f.) Kuntze 1891

References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ; Studies in the Family Orchidaceae Fascile 2 Ames 1908 as Phreatia prorepens drawing fide; Studies in the Family Orchidaceae Vol 3 Ames 1908 drawing fide

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