Bulbophyllum cruttwellii J.J.Verm., Orchid Monogr. 7 (1993) 75, fig. 34, pl. 1a
Type: Jongejan cult. 1320 (holo L, alc. only)
Rhizome pendulous, to 100 by 0.08-0.2 cm diam. (seemingly thicker because loosely imbricate scales). Roots creeping over the rhizome. Pseudobulbs cylindrical, 2-4.5 cm apart, 0.4-0.5 by 0.1-0.2 cm, hardly flattened. Petiole 0.3-0.7 cm. Leaf blade triangular to elliptic, 3-6.5 by 2.5-5 cm, index 1-2. base often cordate; tip acute to acuminate. Inflorescences to 4 together on a short sympodium, pendulous, 0.8-3 cm, to 80-flowered; peduncle 0.5-1.3 cm. Floral bracts c. 6. the longest 0.55-0.7 cm. Rachis to 1.7 cm. Floral bracts ovate, 0.6-0.7 cm; tip acuminate. Pedicel and ovary 0.6-0.9 cm, with the node 0.4-0.85 cm from the floral bract. Flowers scattered, 1 open time, widely opening. Median sepal orbicular to elliptic, 0.25-0.3 by 0.2-0.28 cm, index 1-1.3; tip an incurved, subulate projection 0.12-0.2 cm long, glabrous, thin. Lateral sepals oblique, orbicular to transversely elliptic, 0.22-0.28 by 0.25-0.32 cm, index 0.7-1. otherwise as the median sepal. Petals with a narrow claw 0.06-0.1 cm long; blade obliquely elliptic, 0.15-0.2 by 0.05-0.08 cm, index 2.5-3; tip rounded to obtuse, margins glabrous or finely papillose; very thin; surface glabrous. Lip 3-lobed, mid-lobe curved base, ovate to elliptic, 0.1-0.15 by 0.06-0.08 cm, index 1.6-2 (not spread); tip obtuse, margins glabrous or very finely papillose, thick; surface approximately glabrous; adaxially concave and with 3 parallel, short ridges near the base which in front abruptly end into a triangular concavety bordered by 2 several ridges which in front converge; abaxially approximately without a median ridge; basal lobes with thein front margin inserted along the margin of the lip, triangular to obovate; tip rounded to obtuse, margins finely papillose, thin; surface glabrous. Column from ovary to the tip of the stelidia 0.1-0.12 cm; stigma hardly protruding at its base, elliptic to orbicular; column-foot without accessories. Stelidia triangular, 0.03 cm; tip obtuse to acute; with or without a distinct, forwards projecting, triangular, obtuse, tooth along the lower margin. Anther abaxially with a ridge towards its base; front margin not protruding. (After Vermeulen, 1993)
Colours: hizome scales pale yellowish brown when dry. Sepals pale yellow, petals white, lip yellowish, or purple, often with white basal lobes.
Habitat: Epiphyte in montane forest; 1500-2770 m.
Flowering time in the wild: June, August, September, October, November, December.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea; see map 96-433M.jpg.
Cultivation: Cool growing epiphyte.