Bulbophyllum rhodoleucum Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 762
Type: Schlechter 18745 (holo B, lost; iso AMES, BO, L)
Rhizome creeping, 2.5-5 mm diam. Pseudobulbs ovoid, 0.7-3 cm apart, 2.2-5.5 by 0.5-1.6 cm, not or hardly flattened. Petiole 6-32 mm. Leaf blade elliptic to obovate, 6-16 by 1-4 cm, index (2-)3 -8, tip acute. Inflorescence 4.2-9 cm, 1-flowered. Peduncle 1.8-5.5 cm; bracts c. 3, the longest 4.5-12 mm. Floral bracts tubular, 4.5-11 mm, tip acuminate. Pedicel and ovary 13-32 mm, with the node 2-5 mm from the floral bract. Flowers moderately opening. Median sepal ovate, 14-57 by 5-10 mm, index 3-6, tip long acuminate to caudate; margins often slightly erose; thin; surface glabrous. Lateral sepals free, oblique, 15-57 by 5-10 mm, index 3-6, lower margin often finely papillose; otherwise as the median sepal. Petals oblique, ovate to triangular, 0.5-2.2 by 0.5-1 mm, index 0.6-3.6, tip obtuse to acuminate; thin; glabrous. Lip almost straight or curved at the base, general outline ovate to subtriangular, 7-16 by 4-7.5 mm, index 1.7-2.5 (not spread), tip (sub) acute; margins partly or entirely finely papillose; thick; adx. with an inconspicuous basal concavity, basal teeth converging, not touching at the tip, together forming a transverse ridge, basal part of the lip concave, often slightly papillose, gradually passing into the approx. flat and often finely transversely wrinkled top part of the lip; abx. with an inconspicuous, retuse median ridge, surface glabrous or finely papillose towards the margins. Column from ovary to the tip of the rostellum 2-4 mm; rostellum distinctly protruding; stigma orbicular, slightly protruding at its base; column-foot with a distinct, straight, rounded central knob above the attachment of the lip. Anther abx. with a ridge towards its tip; front margin protruding. (After Vermeulen, 1993)
Colours: Sepals white, cream-coloured, greenish yellow, or pink, often with pink or purple veins, sometimes purple at the tip, or entirely purple. Lip (pinkish or brownish) purple, sometimes orange, white or yellow towards the base.
Habitat: Epiphyte in montane forest; 1500-2500 m.
Flowering time in the wild: October, November, December.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea; see map 96-1576M.jpg.
Cultivation: Cool growing epiphyte.