Bulbophyllum monosema Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 727
Type: Schlechter 18541 (holo B, lost)
Epiphyte, spreading, 15-20 cm long. Rhizome flexuose, stem-like, covered with sheaths. Roots filiform, elongated, flexuose, glabrous. Pseudobulbs 1.5-2 cm apart, subcylindrical, 1.2-1.7 cm high, 0.25-0.4 cm diam. above the base; 1-leaved. Leaf erect, lanceolate-ligulate, acute or subacute, glabrous, 5.5-8 by 1.4-2.2 cm below the middle; base cuneate. Inflorescence 1-flowered, very short, covered with sheaths, 0.2-0.3 cm long. Floral bracts similar to the sheaths, somewhat shorter than the ovary. Flower c. 1.5 cm wide. Sepals lanceolate, apiculate, recurved, glabrous, 0.9 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique, base of upper margin somewhat dilated. Petals obliquely broadly rhombic, apiculate, 0.15 cm long; margins above the middle subdenticulate. Lip immobile, narrowly fleshy-ligulate; muriculate-papillose except at the base; underneath grooved, 0.9 cm long. Column slightly curved; stelidia quadrangular, above serrulate, with an apical subulate tooth; without column-foot. Anther cordate-cucullate, glabrous, umbo apiculate. Ovary cylindrical, sessile, 0.3 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1913)
Colours: Flowers red. Petals yellowish with a red spot. Lip yellow-brown. Column pale yellow.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 1100 m.
Flowering time in the wild: October.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea; see map 96-1182M.jpg.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.