Bulbophyllum inquirendum J.J.Verm., Orchid Monogr. 7 (1993) 76, fig. 35
Type: Reeve 6641 (holo K; iso L)
Rhizome pendulous, to 5 by 0.08-0.2 cm diam. (seemingly thicker because of loosely imbricate, finely papillose scales). Roots creeping over the rhizome. Pseudobulbs cylindrical, 2-4.5 cm apart, 0.5 by 0.1-0.2 cm, hardly flattened. Petiole 0.3-0.8 cm. Leaf blade triangular to ovate, 2.7-4.2 by 1.8-3.7 cm, index 1.1-1.6. base often cordate; tip acute to acuminate. Inflorescences to 3 together on a short sympodium, pendulous, 1-1.8 cm, to 10-flowered; peduncle 0.4-1.1 cm. Floral bracts 4-5, the longest 0.3-0.45 cm. Rachis to 0.4 cm. Floral bracts ovate, 0.4 cm; tip acuminate. Pedicel and ovary 0.5-1.1 cm, with the node 0.3-0.55 cm from the floral bract. Flowers scattered, 1 open time, widely opening. Median sepal orbicular to elliptic, 0.24-0.32 by 0.2-0.32 cm, index 1-1.2; tip an incurved, subulate projection 0.1-0.18 cm long, margins slightly papillose, thin; surface glabrous. Lateral sepals oblique, orbicular to transversely elliptic, 0.22-0.31 by 0.2-0.38 cm, index 0.8-1. otherwise as the median sepal. Petals with a narrow claw 0.1-0.13 cm long; blade ovate to elliptic, 0.15-0.22 by 0.08-0.18 cm, index 1.2-1.8; tip emarginate to obtuse; margins finely papillose; very thin; surface glabrous. Lip 3-lobed, mid-lobe curved base, ovate to elliptic, 0.11-0.13 by 0.07-0.08 cm, index 1.6-2 (not spread); tip obtuse, margins as well as abaxial surface either finely papillose only, or densely set with large, elongated vesicles of various size which gradually become smaller towards the centre of the abaxial side, thick; adaxially concave and with a very short and inconspicuously median ridge close to the base, the concavety continuing as a narrow median slit reaching over half-way of the lip, bordered by 2 several ridges which in front are fused along their crests and in the back protrude as lobes; surface finely papillose; abaxially with 2 inconspicuously, rounded ridges near the base, concave towards the tip; basal lobes with the frontal, margins converging over the adaxial surface of the lip; falcate, narrowly triangular; tip approximately obtuse, margins slightly erose, thin; surface glabrous. Column from ovary to the tip of the stelidia 0.08 cm; stigma somewhat protruding at its base, orbicular; column-foot without accessories. Stelidia inconspicuously; tip rounded, margins erose; with a falcate, approximately forwards projecting, narrowly triangular, acute tooth along the lower margin. Anther (not seen). (After Vermeulen, 1993)
Colours: Rhizome scales dull greyish brown when dry. Leaves red. Sepals and petals creamy white. Lip purplish.
Habitat: Epiphyte in montane forest.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Indonesia (Papua); see map 96-869M.jpg.
Cultivation: Cool growing epiphyte.