Bulbophyllum alticola Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1912) 715
Type: Schlechter 18807 (holo B, lost)
Epiphyte, very small, 5-6 cm high. Rhizome short, creeping. Roots filiform, elongated, flexuose, glabrous. Pseudobulbs ovoid, 0.7-1 by 0.3-0.5 cm below the middle; 1-leaved. Leaves erect, lanceolate-ligulate, subacute, glabrous, subcoriaceous, 2.5-4 by 0.4-0.6 cm at or below the middle; base slightly narrowed into a petiole. Inflorescence 1-flowered, basal, erect or suberect, filiform, glabrous, 1.5-2 cm high; with few small, clasping peduncle-scales. Floral bracts elliptic, apiculate, clasping, much shorter than the pedicellate ovary. Flower erect or suberect. Sepals reflexed, oblique, lanceolate-linear, subobtuse, glabrous, 2.1 cm long. Lateral sepals somewhat wider than the median one. Petals falcate, narrowly lanceolate, acuminate, glabrous, 0.38 cm long. Lip linear-ligulate, subacute, convex, glabrous, as long as the sepals; base minutely and obtusely concave-auriculate; underneath hollow. Column slender, curved; stelidia quadrangular, in front unequally denticulate; column-foot absent. Anther oblongoid-cucullate, apiculate, umbonate, glabrous. Pedicel and ovary very slender, glabrous, c. 2 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1911-1914)
Colours: Flower violet-pink; lip snow-white.
Habitat: Epiphyte in montane forest; 2400-3100 m.
Flowering time in the wild: February, April, August, November.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea; see map 96-83M.jpg.
Cultivation: Cool growing epiphyte.