Bulbophyllum plagiopetalum Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 829
Type: Schlechter 20079 (holo B, lost)
Epiphyte, spreading, to 20 cm long. Rhizome stem-like. Roots filiform, glabrous. Pseudobulb close together, parallel to the rhizome, subcylindrical, 1.3-1.6 by 0.25-0.4 cm below the middle. Leaf erect linear-ligulate, acute, 6-10 by 0.6-0.9 cm near the middle. Inflorescence 1-flowered, filiform, with a few small peduncle-scales, c. 5 cm long. Floral bracts very small, apiculate, much shorter than the pedicellate ovary. Sepals oblong-ligulate, apiculate, 0.9 cm long, in the middle with the margins minutely and densely finely ciliate. Lateral sepals oblique, lower margin finely ciliate. Petals obliquely ovate, subacute, 0.28 cm long; margins subdenticulate. Lip somewhat fleshy, ligulate, obtuse, 0.75 cm long; base thickened; underneath pitted. Column short; stelidia triangular-subulate; column-foot somewhat incurved. Pedicel and ovary slender, 1.2 cm long, glabrous. (After Schlechter, 1913)
Colours: Flower dark purple. Petals white with purple spots. Lip golden yellow.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 800-1700 m.
Flowering time in the wild: September.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea; see map 96-1440M.jpg.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.