Bulbophyllum flagellare

Bulbophyllum flagellare Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 844

Type: Schlechter 16561 (syn B, lost; K); 17954 (syn B, lost; K; NB: In Schlechter (1911-1914) 844 wrongly cited as 17953)

Epiphyte, perpendicular pendulous, to 90 cm long. Rhizome stem-like, covered with sheaths. Roots filiform, glabrous. Pseudobulbs 0.5-1.5 cm apart, cylindrical-conical, 1.2-1.7 by 0.4-0.6 cm below the middle. Leaf linear, acute, 8-13 by 0.4-0.8 cm in the middle; base gradually somewhat narrowed. Inflorescence 1-flowered, very short, with a few small peduncle-scales. Floral bracts apiculate, half the length of the ovary. Sepals ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, glabrous, 0.5 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique. Petals obliquely oblong-ligulate, minutely apiculate, glabrous, 0.18 cm long. Lip fleshy, oblong, obtuse, 0.3 cm long; base shortly 2-auriculate; above grooved; underneath except base and the very apex minutely puberulous. Column short; stelidia subulate, distinctly exceeding the middle of the lip; column-foot somewhat incurved at the apex. Anther helmet shaped-cucullate, glabrous. Pedicel and ovary glabrous, 0.4 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1913)

Colours: Flower light pink. Sepals spotted red. Petals striped red.

Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 450-800 m.

Flowering time in the wild: July, August, September.

Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).

Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea; see map 96-654M.jpg.

Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.

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