Bulbophyllum brassii

Bulbophyllum brassii J.J.Verm., Orchid Monogr. 7 (1993) 156, fig. 108

Type: Brass 10723 (holo AMES)

Rhizome creeping, 0.1-0.3 cm diam. Pseudobulbs globose to ovoid, 0.7-6 cm apart, 0.7-3 by 0.4-1.1 cm, not or hardly flattened. Petiole 4-22 mm. Leaf blade elliptic to obovate, 3.5-17 by 0.7-1.9 cm, index 2.7-28; tip acute. Inflorescence 3-9 cm, 1-flowered; peduncle 0.5-4.5 cm. Floral bracts 3-4. the longest 0.4-0.8 cm. Floral bracts tubular, 4.58 mm; tip acuminate. Pedicel and ovary 7-22 mm, with the node 0.1-0.35 cm from the floral bract. Flowers moderately opening. Median sepal ovate, 16-SO by 3-11 mm, index 3.7-6; tip long acuminate to caudate, thin, glabrous. Lateral sepals free, oblique, 16-50 by 3.5-10 mm, index 4.2-6. lower margin often finely papillose; otherwise as the median sepal. Petals oblique, ovate to triangular, 0.5-1.5 by 0.5-1.5 mm, index 0.6-1.8; tip obtuse to acuminate, thin, glabrous. Lip curved base, general outline ovate to subtriangular, 4.9-10 by 1.8-3 mm, index 2-3.3 (not spread); tip (sub) acute; approximately glabrous, thick; adaxially with an inconspicuously basal concavety, basal teeth converging, not touching tip, together forming a transversely ridge, basal part of the lip concave, gradually passing into the somewhat convex top part of the lip; abaxially with an inconspicuously, retuse median ridge. Column from ovary to the tip of the rostellum 1.4-2.8 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 abaxially with a ridge towards its tip; front margin protruding. (After Vermeulen, 1993)

Colours: Sepals white, often with purple veins, or entirely purple. Lip golden yellow, brownish, or purple. Column white.

Habitat: Epiphyte in montane forest; 2910-3100 m.

Flowering time in the wild: April, August, December.

Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).

Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea; see map 96-241M.jpg.

Cultivation: Cool growing epiphyte.

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