Bulbophyllum betchei F.Muell., S. Sci. Rec. 1 (1881) 173
Type: Betche s.n. (Samoa, Apia Mts., lower regions) (holo MEL)
Epiphyte, erect, 8-17 cm high. Rhizome stem-like, covered with sheaths. Roots filiform, glabrous. Pseudobulbs cylindrical, parallel to the rhizome, close together, 0.5 by 0.125-0.15 cm; 1-leaved. Leaf erect-patent, linear-ligulate, obliquely apiculate, somewhat fleshy. 2.5-3.5 by 0.3-0.6 cm near the middle; base narrowed. Inflorescences 1-flowered, short, with a few small peduncle-scales. Floral bracts very small, much shorter than the ovary. Flower often cleistogamous. Sepals oblong, acute, glabrous, 0.35 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique, front margin somewhat dilated. Petals obliquely oblong-ligulate, broadly obtuse, glabrous, 0.15 cm long. Lip obliquely oblong-ligulate, obtuse, carnose, 0.28 cm long; to the apex somewhat narrowed; underneath very shortly papillose-puberulous. Column short; stelidia subulate, hardly reaching the middle of the lip; column-foot almost straight, short. Anther helmet shaped-cucullate, glabrous. Ovary shortly pedicellate, glabrous, 0.5 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1913)
Colours: Flower golden yellow. Petals light yellow with a violet spot at the apex.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 600-1000 m.
Flowering time in the wild: April, May, July, December.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea), Solomon Is., Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Fiji, Samoa.
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Indonesia); Papua New Guinea; see map 96-187M.jpg.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.