Bulbophyllum brachypetalum Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 762
Type: Schlechter 19063 (holo B, lost); neo: Cruttwell 3204 (L)
Rhizome creeping, 1-2 mm diam. Pseudobulbs ovoid, 0.2-1 cm apart, 1-2.5 by 0.20.5 cm, not or hardly flattened. Petiole 6-9 mm. Leaf blade elliptic to obovate, 2.2-8 by 0.4-1.3 cm, index 3.9-10, tip acute. Inflorescence 7-10.5 cm, 1-flowered. Peduncle 58 cm; bracts 2-3, the longest 5-6 mm. Floral bracts tubular, 3.5-6 mm, tip acuminate. Pedicel and ovary 11-23 mm, with the node 2.3-5 mm from the floral bract. Flowers moderately opening. Median sepal ovate, 9-38 by 2-6.5 mm, index 3.8-8, tip long acuminate to caudate; margins glabrous to finely ciliate; thin; adx. glabrous to pubescent (see note); abx. glabrous or papillose around the veins. Lateral sepals free, oblique, 10.544 by 2.8-6.5 mm, index 4.2-7.4; otherwise as the median sepal. Petals elliptic to triangular, 0.4-0.9 by 1.4-1.5 mm, index 0.3-1.8, tip rounded to acuminate; thin; glabrous. Lip approx. straight or slightly incurved, general outline ovate to triangular, often slightly tapering towards the tip, 3.8-6.5 by 1.8-2.5 mm, index 1.9-2.6 (not spread), tip subacute; margins glabrous; thick; adx. with a distinct basal concavity, basal teeth converging, together forming a transverse ridge with a deep notch half-way, basal part of the lip not protruding beyond the ligament, distinctly concave, upwards curved margins thin and with sharp edges, gradually passing into the flat or slightly convex top part of the lip, entire surface glabrous; abx. with an inconspicuous, truncate median ridge, surface almost glabrous to papillose or pilose. Column from ovary to the tip of the rostellum 1.2-2.5 mm; rostellum distinctly protruding; stigma orbicular, somewhat protruding at its base; column-foot with a distinct, distinctly upwards pointing, rounded central knob above the attachment of the lip. Anther abx. with a wide ridge; front margin hardly protruding. (After Vermeulen, 1993)
Colours: Sepals white or cream-coloured, with pink or purple veins or not, or entirely purple. Petals hyaline, lip cream-coloured, yellow, or brownish, often with purple veins, or entirely purple.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 1300-2340 m.
Flowering time in the wild: January, July, November.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Indonesia); Papua New Guinea; see map 96-236M.jpg.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.