[2] Flowers from this species are small, with red-brown petals with a yellow edge and white lip and appear in the winter months.

However, this plant is currently considered vulnerable (CITES status II) with restricted trade due to risk of over collection and use as a stimulant in Borneo traditional herbal medicine.

The plant can be found growing at heights between 300-1600m above sea level typically in forest habitats with high humidity.

Substrates suitable for the plant should be porous and well-draining and may include a mixture of leaf litter, sphagnum moss, coir and gravel.

[6] M. petola can be propagated by asexual division; note that sterilized tools and media should be used to prevent infection with pathogenic fungi.