Bulbophyllum futile J.J.Sm., Bull. Dép. Agric. Indes Néerl. 19 (1908) 6
Type: Versteeg 1524 (holo BO)
Plant very small. Rhizome creeping. Pseudobulbs alternating arranged in rows, at a sharp angle to the rhizome, close together, ovoid, obtuse, 0.25-0.3 by 0.16-0.17 cm; in front broadly and deeply grooved; 1-leaved. Leaf lanceolate, acute, rigidly fleshy, 0.6-1.1 by 0.18-0.2 cm; base narrowed into a petiole; grooved above. Inflorescences 1-flowered, numerous, fasciculate; peduncle filiform, 0.7-1.2 cm long; base covered with a few tubular peduncle-scales. Floral bracts hood-shaped, shortly acuminate, 0.1 cm long. Flower very small. Median sepal horizontal, oblong, acute, concave, 3-nerved, 0.28 by 0.1 cm. Lateral sepals oblong-triangular, acute, 3-nerved, 0.3 by 0.13 cm. Petals oblong, subobtuse, 1-nerved, 0.1 by 0.04 cm. Lip mobile, horizontal, shortly clawed, 3-lobed, fleshy, 0.13 by 0.03 cm; between the lateral lobes convex-swollen; lateral lobes erect, angular-half round, thin, concave; mid-lobe linear-ligulate, obtuse. Column 0.07 cm long; stelidia subulate, as long as the anther; filament subulate; column-foot at right angles to the ovary, with free, slightly incurved, obtuse, inside near the base slightly swollen apex, 0.05 cm long. Anther obovate-rotund; connective dilated at the apex, obtuse. Pollinia 4, oblong, inner ones very small. Ovary conical, 0.07 cm long, making an angle with the filiform, 0.4 cm long pedicel. (After Smith, 1909)
Colours: Flower orange-yellow.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lowland forest; 200-650 m.
Flowering time in the wild: June, July, September.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Indonesia); see map 96-701M.jpg.
Cultivation: Warm growing epiphyte.