Bulbophyllum inversum Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 806
Type: Schlechter 16538 (holo B, lost)
Epiphyte, very small. Rhizome very short. Roots filiform, flexuose, glabrous. Pseudobulbs very small, ovoid, 0.2-0.3 cm high; 1-leaved. Leaves erect, elliptic-oblanceolate, apiculate, glabrous, 2.5-6 by 0.4-0.7 cm above the middle, towards the base weakly narrowed into a petiole. Inflorescences 1-flowered, 0.4-0.6 cm long, with a few small peduncle-scales. Floral bracts cucullate, as long as the sessile ovary. Flower not resupinated. Sepals ovate-lanceolate, acute, glabrous, 0.7 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique, tightly connate up to the apex. Petals obliquely elliptic, acute, 0.4 cm long; margins sparsely and very shortly finely ciliate. Lip 3-lobulate, 0.5 cm long; base with 2 minute auricles, near the base with a very small callus; lateral lobes 2, divergent, very small, obliquely quadrangular, truncate; mid-lobe much longer, lanceolate-ligulate, subacute, margins densely finely ciliate. Column short; stelidia lanceolate, posterior margin with one obtuse tooth; column-foot rather thick. Anther cucullate, glabrous. Ovary sessile, glabrous, 0.2 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1913)
Colours: Flower dark purple-red.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 1000 m.
Flowering time in the wild: September.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea; see map 96-879M.jpg.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.