Bulbophyllum oligochaete Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 819
Type: Schlechter 19125 (holo B, lost)
Epiphyte, small, with erect, c. 10 cm long, stem-like rhizome. Roots filiform; flexuose, glabrous. Pseudobulbs appressed to the rhizome, conical-cylindrical, 0.7-1 by 0.2-0.25 cm below the middle; 1-leaved. Leaf erect-patent, elliptic, acute, 1.8-2 by 0.8-1 cm. Inflorescences 1-flowered, very short, with 2 inconspicuous peduncle-scales. Floral bracts cucullate, acuminate, only slightly longer than the ovary. Median sepal broadly elliptic, broadly obtuse, glabrous, 0.5 cm long. Lateral sepals obliquely oblong, obtuse, as long as the median sepal; up to near the apex boat-shaped-connate. Petals obliquely subreniform, subretuse, hardly 0.1 cm long; margins minutely finely ciliate. Lip cuneate-elliptic, obtuse, 0.25 cm long; margins in basal half ciliate with sparse, recurved, bristle-like hairs; lip above the middle somewhat narrowed and with recurved margins. Column short; stelidia obliquely rhomboid, apiculate; column-foot straight, rather long. Anther cordate, umbonate, glabrous. Ovary sessile, cylindrical, 0.2 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1913)
Colours: Flower yellow. Lateral sepals inside with red stripes. Lip red-brown, paler in the middle.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 759-1300 m.
Flowering time in the wild: January.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Indonesia); Papua New Guinea; see map 96-1295M.jpg.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.