Bulbophyllum latipes

Bulbophyllum latipes J.J.Sm., Nova Guinea 18 (1935) 65, pl. 14, fig. 44

Type: Docters van Leeuwen 10264 (holo L; iso BO)

Rhizome patent to pendulous, up to c. 12 cm long, 1-1.5 mm diam. Pseudobulbs ovoid, 0.2-0.5 cm apart, 0.5-1.2 by 0.2-0.3 cm, somewhat flattened. Petiole 0.5-1.5 mm. Leaf blade ovate to elliptic, 1.2-2.3 by 0.2-0.6 cm, index 3-10, tip cuspidate. Inflorescence 1.3-1.5 cm, 1-2-flowered. Peduncle 0.9-1.1 cm; bracts 2, the longest c. 2 mm. Rachis if present (?) cm. Floral bracts approx. triangular, 1.2-1.5 mm, tip acuminate. Pedicel and ovary 2-2.5 mm, with the node 0.5-0.7 mm from the floral bract. Flowers moderately opening. Median sepal ovate, 2.8-4.2 by 1.3-2.5 mm, index 1.6-2.2, tip acute; thin; glabrous. Lateral sepals free, oblique, 2.8-4 by 1.3-2 mm, index 2-2.2; otherwise as the median sepal. Petals oblique, ovate to elliptic, 2.3-3 by 0.7-1.5 mm, index 2-3.2, tip acuminate; thin; glabrous. Lip slightly curved, general outline distinctly pandurate, 2.2-3.8 by 1.5-1.6 mm, index 1.6-2.4 (not spread), tip (sub)acute; to acuminate; rather thick; glabrous; adx. with a distinct basal concavity, basal teeth converging, together forming a transverse ridge with a deep slit half-way, basal half of the lip with a short, flat median ridge which is forked towards the base as well as two longer lateral ridges, basal half gradually passing into the top half of the lip, top half of the lip slightly convex; abx. approx. without a median ridge. Column from ovary to the tip of the rostellum 0.4-1.2 mm; rostellum distinctly protruding; stigma approx. elliptic, protruding at its base; column-foot with a rounded central knob above the attachment of the lip. Stelidia approx. absent. Anther much elongated, abx. with a ridge towards its tip; front margin protruding. Pollinia (not seen). (After Vermeulen, 1993)

Colours: Sepals and petals pale green to pale yellow. Lip pale yellow.

Habitat: Epiphyte in lowland forest; 250-900 m.

Flowering time in the wild: September.

Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).

Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Indonesia); Papua New Guinea; see map 96-959M.jpg.

Cultivation: Warm growing epiphyte.

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