Bulbophyllum ankylochele J.J.Verm., Orchid Monogr. 7 (1993) 152, fig. 103, pl. 5b
Type: Reeve 1032 (holo L; iso E, K)
Rhizome creeping, 0.2-0.4 cm diam. Pseudobulbs ovoid, 0.5-2.5 cm apart, 1-6 by 0.5-1 cm, not or hardly flattened. Petiole 7-16 mm. Leaf blade elliptic, 6.5-16 by 0.92.8 cm, index 5.2-8.2; tip acute. Inflorescence 14-20 cm, 1-flowered; peduncle 7-17 cm. Floral bracts 3-4. the longest 0.6-1.05 cm. Floral bracts tubular, 0.5-0.85 cm; tip acuminate. Pedicel and ovary 2.5-3.3 cm, with the node 0.4-0.5 cm from the floral bract. Flowers widely opening. Median sepal ovate, 2.8-8.5 by 7-9 mm, index 3.7-9.5; tip caudate, thin, glabrous. Lateral sepals free, oblique, 26-85 by 5-10 mm, index 4-8.5. lower margin sometimes slightly papillose; otherwise as the median sepal. Petals ovate to triangular, 0.6-0.9 by 0.6-1.4 mm, index 0.6-1; tip obtuse to subacute, thin, glabrous. Lip slightly curved base, general outline ovate, 10-12 by 5.5-6 mm, index 1.6-2.2 (not spread); tip rounded to subacute, margins glabrous to papillose; rather thick; surface glabrous to finely papillose; adaxially with a distinct basal concavety, basal teeth converging, not touching tip, together forming a transversely ridge; base of the lip protruding distinctly beyond the ligament, top part of the lip approximately flat or slightly convex; abaxially without a median ridge. Column from ovary to the tip of the rostellum 2.8-4 mm; rostellum distinctly protruding; stigma orbicular, somewhat protruding at its base. Column-foot with a distinct, distinctly upwards pointing, rounded central knob above the attachment of the lip. Anther abaxially with a broad ridge towards its base; front margin not protruding. (After Vermeulen, 1993)
Colours: Sepals white to creamy yellow. Lip dull yellow to bright orange.
Habitat: Epiphyte in montane forest; 1700 m.
Flowering time in the wild: February.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Indonesia); Papua New Guinea; see map 96-111M.jpg.
Cultivation: Cool growing epiphyte, requires shaded position.