Bulbophyllum macrorhopalon

Bulbophyllum macrorhopalon Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 882

Type: Schlechter 18576 (holo B, lost)

Epiphyte, stout, pendulous, not or sparsely branched. Rhizome stem-like. Roots filiform, glabrous. Pseudobulbs 4-6 cm apart, cylindrical, 1.7-2.3 by 0.35-0.5 cm above the base; 1-leaved. Leaves elliptic, acuminate, 6.5-10 by 3-4 cm in the middle. Inflorescences 1-flowered, single, short, with a few small peduncle-scales. Floral bracts very small, much shorter than the ovary. Sepals elliptic, shortly acuminate, glabrous, 0.9 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique, somewhat narrower than the median one. Petals at the base obliquely elliptic, deeply split into three, towards the apex narrowing segments, each with a cylindrical, strongly acuminate, minutely and densely papillose appendage, the median appendage larger than the lateral ones, 0.65 by 0.25 cm in the middle; petals including the appendages about as long as the sepals. Lip fleshy, elliptic, 0.5 cm long; above longitudinally grooved, with 2 keels; underneath verruculose. Column short, thick; stelidia triangular, subobtuse; column-foot somewhat incurved. Anther quadrangular-cucullate, umbonate, glabrous; in front subretuse, with thickened margins. Ovary cylindrical, glabrous, including the pedicel 1.3 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1913)

Colours: Sepals green, inside with red spots. Petals white with greenish appendages with violet spots.

Habitat: Epiphyte in montane forest; 1800-2300 m.

Flowering time in the wild: February, March, April, June, November.

Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).

Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea; see map 96-1082M.jpg.

Cultivation: Cool growing epiphyte.

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