Bulbophyllum rarum Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 807
Type: Schlechter 20107 (holo B, lost)
Epiphyte, very small. Rhizome very short. Roots filiform, flexuose, glabrous. Pseudobulbs ovoid, very small, 0.2-0.25 cm high; 1-leaved. Leaf erect, elliptic-ligulate, minutely apiculate, glabrous, c. 2. by 0.65 cm near the middle; base cuneate-narrowed. Inflorescences 1-flowered, 0.7 cm long, with a few small peduncle-scales. Floral bracts very small, cucullate, shorter than the ovary. Flower not resupinated. Sepals lanceolate, acute, glabrous, 0.9 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique, tightly connate up to the apex. Petals obliquely lanceolate, acuminate, 0.55 cm long, glabrous. Lip narrowly lanceolate, acute, 0.4 cm long; base with 2 minute auricles; midrib swollen; margins very minutely and densely finely ciliate. Column very short, glabrous; stelidia large, obliquely lanceolate, acute; column-foot short. Anther cucullate, glabrous, ovary sessile, 0.2 cm long, glabrous. (After Schlechter, 1913)
Colours: Flower dull wine-red.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 900 m.
Flowering time in the wild: March, September.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea; see map 96-1543M.jpg.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.