Bulbophyllum mesodon

Bulbophyllum mesodon J.J.Verm., Orchid Monogr. 7 (1993) 135, fig. 90

Type: Brass 13717 (holo AMES; iso BO, L)

Rhizome pendulous, to c. 90 by 0.4-0.5 cm diam. Pseudobulbs ovoid, 7-9 cm apart, c. 3 by 1 cm, somewhat flattened. Petiole 8-15 mm. Leaf blade ovate, 11-15.5 by 3-4.3 cm, index 3.6-3.7; tip acute. Inflorescence 3.5-8 cm, 8-24-flowered; peduncle 1-2 cm. Floral bracts 4-5. the longest 6-8 mm. Rachis 2.5-5.8 cm. Floral bracts ovate, 4-5 mm; tip acute. Pedicel and ovary c. 5 mm, with the node 0.15 cm from the floral bract. Flowers hardly opening. Median sepal ovate, c. 3.2 by 1.3 mm, index c. 2.5; tip acute; rather thin, glabrous. Lateral sepals free, c. 3.5 by 1.1 mm, index c. 3.2; otherwise as the median sepal. Petals oblique, approximately elliptic, c. 1.8 by 1 mm, index c. 1.8; tip acute, margins finely papillose; rather thin; surface glabrous. Lip 3-lobed, mid-lobe approximately straight, general outline ovate, c. 1.2 by 0.7 mm, index c. 1.7; tip obtuse, margins somewhat papillose towards the tip, thick; adaxially with a basal concavety, basal teeth converging, together forming a transversely ridge with a notch half-way, basal part of the lip concave, approximately glabrous, passing with a distinct, triangular, approximately acute central tooth into the flat, papillose top part of the lip; abaxially without a median ridge; surface glabrous; lateral lobes inserted le or of the central tooth, distinct, triangular, 0.35 cm long; tip approximately acute, margins glabrous, rather thin. Column from ovary to the tip of the stelidia 0.6 mm; rostellum not protruding; stigma obovate, protruding at its base. Column-foot with a rounded central knob above the attachment of the lip. Stelidia inconspicuously, triangular; tip acute. Anther abaxially with a broad ridge; front margin not protruding. (After Vermeulen, 1993)

Colours: Sepals and petals greenish white. Lip orange.

Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 500 m.

Flowering time in the wild: September.

Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).

Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea; see map 96-1136M.jpg.

Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.

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