Bulbophyllum elasmatopus

Bulbophyllum elasmatopus Schltr. in K.Schum. & Lauterb., Nachtr. Fl. Deutsch. Schutzgeb. Südsee (1905) 201

Type: Schlechter 14074 (holo B, lost)

Epiphyte, slender, creeping, to 50 cm high. Rhizome very short. Roots filiform, elongated, flexuose, glabrous. Pseudobulbs close together, subcylindrical, terete, 4-4.5 by 0.6 cm, towards the base somewhat broader; 1-leaved. Leaf large, petiolate, subcoriaceous, glabrous, 19-23 by 4-4.6 cm above the middle; blade oblong-oblanceolate; apex 3-lobulate, the median lobule apiculiform; petiole 7-8 cm long. Inflorescence very slender, flexuose, rigid, to 50 cm long; rachis elongated, 7 cm long or more, with small, far distant peduncle-scales. Floral bracts distichous, cucullate-clasping, falcate incurved, dorsally sharply keeled, somewhat rigid, shorter than the ovary. Sepals narrowly lanceolate, acuminate, glabrous, c. 2.5 cm long. Petals minute, threadlike-acuminate, 0.35 cm long; base obliquely rhomboid. Lip narrowly tongue-shaped, very acute, 1.1 cm long; below the middle constricted, glabrous; above grooved. Column very short, with thickened base; stelidia awl-shaped, obtuse; column-foot long elongated, Anther cucullate-broadly obtuse, in front shortly incisedd. Ovary pedicellate, clavate, glabrous, c. 1 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1905)

Colours: Flower striped dark carmine-red.

Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 300-1000 m.

Flowering time in the wild: January, May, July, September.

Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).

Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea; see map 96-564M.jpg.

Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.

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