158 
STETIS MICRANTHA. 
Small-flowered Stetis. 
GYNANDRIA MONANDRIA— Nat. Ohd. ORCHIDEM. 
Gen. CHxn.^LabeUum petalis interioribus famis subfornicatis conforme. 
Petala 3 exteriora basi connata. Massce pollinis duse. Br. 
Stetis micrantha ; caule elongato unifolio, foHo lato-lanceolato, floribus 
spicatis bifariam insertis subsecundis acute-triffonis. 
S. mici-antha, Swartz, FL Ind. Occ. p. 1553.— Sw. De Orchid, p. 98.— Smith, 
Exot FL p. 75.— WiLLD. Sp. PL v. iv. p. 139— Br. in Hart. Kew. ed. i 
V. 5. p. 210. 
Epidendrum micranthum, Sw. Prodr. p. 125. 
Parasitic. Roots much branched, throwing up several stems, which are 
naked, or only invested with the remains of one or two sheathing mem- 
branes, to the height of 4-5 inches, there terminated by an oblongo- 
lanceolate, obtuse, fleshy leaf, about 4 inches in length, which is joint- 
ed, as it were, upon the top of the stalk. 
From the somewhat sheathing base of this leaf, arises the pedunculated 
simple spike, which is about 5 inches long, having flowers from the top 
to within an inch of the base, each subtended by a smaU lanceolate 
bractea. 
The foTvers are very small, springing in regular alternation from two oppo- 
site sides of the stem, but all pointing one way; when unexpanded form- 
ing an exactly trigonal bud. When the outer petals are closed, the 
flowers incline, and the lip is downwards; when expanded, the flowers 
raise themselves, become slightly untwisted, and the Hp is uppermost. 
The 3 outer segments of the perianth are broadly ovato-cordate, plane, or 
very slightly concave, united at the base, pale green, faintly but coarse- 
ly reticulated, with a slightly elevated line down the centre of the back, 
but by no means such as to make the flower, when in bud, appear hexa- 
gonal. The 3 inner petals, including the lip, are also exactly alike in 
shape and size, very smaU, deep purple, broadly ovate, truncate, deeply 
keeled at the back, generally standing forward, so as partly to cover the 
organs of fructification. Column short, deep purple, angled on each side 
at the top, and with a small process (proscollum ) in front. Anther he- 
mispherical, caducous, imperfectly 2-celled, deep purple, enclosing 2 ob- 
ovate, yellow, waxy pollen-masses, which are united at the base by a 
small gland. Germen oblongo- clavate, sessile, ribbed. 
VOL. II. 
