Bulbophyllum sphaeracron

Bulbophyllum sphaeracron Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 827

Type: Schlechter 19782 (holo B, lost)

Epiphyte with creeping, to 30 cm long, elongated rhizome. Roots filiform, glabrous. Pseudobulbs laxly spaced, minute, obliquely conical, 0.15 cm high; 1-leaved. Leaf erect, elliptic, apiculate, 1-2 by 0.4-0.7 cm near the middle; base weakly narrowed into a petiole. Inflorescences 1-flowered, very short; peduncle-scales few, inconspicuous. Floral bracts cucullate, apiculate, as long as the ovary. Sepals ovate-lanceolate, the apex globose-thickened, glabrous, 0.4 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique. Petals obliquely elliptic, obtuse, 0.08 cm long; upper half very minutely finely ciliate. Lip ovate-ligulate, broadly obtuse, glabrous, somewhat fleshy, 0.1 cm long. Column short; stelidia falcate-lanceolate, acute; column-foot somewhat incurved. Anther cucullate, apiculate, glabrous. Ovary sessile, cylindrical, glabrous, 0.1 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1913)

Colours: Flower red, whitish to the apex. Sepals with red apical thickening.

Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 1300 m.

Flowering time in the wild: June.

Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).

Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea; see map 96-1733M.jpg.

Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.

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