Bulbophyllum blepharicardium

Bulbophyllum blepharicardium Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 812

Type: Schlechter 20153 (holo B, lost)

Epiphyte, very small. Rhizome short. Roots filiform, flexuose, glabrous. Pseudobulbs ovoid or ovoid-cylindrical, 0.25-0.4 by 0.15-0.25 cm; 1-leaved. Leaf erect, oblanceolate, apiculate, 1.7-4 by 0.5-1.1 cm above the middle. Inflorescences 1-flowered, shorter than the pseudobulb, covered with sheaths. Floral bracts elliptic, as long as the ovary. Flower not resupinated. Sepals oblong, acute, 0.3 cm long. Median sepal with minutely ciliate margins. Lateral sepals boat-shaped-connate, the outer margins minutely papillose-puberulous. Petals minute, obliquely oblong, acute, glabrous, 0.08 cm long. Lip 0.15 cm long, minutely clawed, at the base sagittate, to above the middle linear, then abruptly dilated in an ovate-cordate, obtuse, acuminate blade with ciliate margins. Column short; stelidia geniculate-subulate; column-foot large, thick. Anther cucullate, glabrous. Ovary cylindrical, sessile, glabrous, 0.1 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1913)

Colours: Flower dark carmine red. Petals striped red. Lip in basal half white, the broader upper part red.

Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 800 m.

Flowering time in the wild: September.

Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).

Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea; see map 96-209M.jpg.

Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.

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