Bulbophyllum hellwigianum Kraenzl., Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 16 (1892) 17
Type: Hellwig 302 (holo B, lost)
Epiphyte, very small. Rhizome creeping, branched; scales acute, keeled, long persistent. Roots numerous, rather thick. Pseudobulbs from the axils of the scales, when dried very rugose, ovoid, 1-leaved, 0.4 by 0.3 cm. Leaves linear, acute, to 2.5 by 0.3 cm. Scales broad ovate, acute, keeled. Inflorescences fascicled, many; peduncle wiry, above with 4 ovate, acute scales. Flowers very small for the genus, 0.15 cm wide. Sepals long, narrowly triangular, almost chartaceous, with involute margins, 0.15 cm long, from the middle to the top solid, acuminate, thickened. Lateral sepals connate in a rounded mentum, their base oblique. Petals somewhat shorter and broader, margins towards the base ciliate; top in proportion smaller, solid and thickened. Lip hypochile [?column-foot]almost semicircular; epichile [?lip](usually) mobile, linear, obtuse, grooved, flattened, oblong, emarginate. Column very short; apex tridentate. Pedicel and ovary 2-3 cm long. (After Kraenzlin, 1892)
Colours: Flower pale green. Sepals and petals to the top deep yellow.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 1700 m.
Flowering time in the wild: October.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea; see map 96-797M.jpg.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.