Bulbophyllum elegantius Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 800
Type: Schlechter 19700 (holo B, lost)
Epiphyte, very small. Rhizome very short. Roots filiform, flexuose, glabrous. Pseudobulbs ellipsoid, very small, 0.175-0.23 cm high; 1-leaved. Leaf erect, oblong-ligulate or ligulate, minutely apiculate, glabrous, 0.7-1.3 by 0.2-0.35 cm near the middle; base weakly narrowed into a petiole. Inflorescence 1-flowered, c. 2.5-3 cm long, wiry, with a few small peduncle-scales. Floral bracts very small, almost 3 times shorter than the ovary. Flower not resupinated. Sepals lanceolate, acuminate, glabrous, 1 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique, margins tightly connate to the apex. Petals obliquely ovate, 0.6 cm long; margins with few irregular teeth; apex extended in hair-like tail. Lip narrowly lanceolate, acute, in total 0.7 cm long; with swollen midrib; base narrow, short, above this with 2 patent, rounded auricles, beyond narrowed, claw-like; margins rather long patent ciliate. Column short; stelidia subfalcate-lanceolate, posterior margins subdentate; column-foot incurved. Anther helmet shaped-cucullate, glabrous. Ovary cylindrical, sessile, glabrous, 0.2 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1913)
Colours: Flower pink. Lip green.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 1200 m.
Flowering time in the wild: June.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea; see map 96-573M.jpg.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.