Bulbophyllum octarrhenipetalum

Bulbophyllum octarrhenipetalum J.J.Sm., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 12 (1913) 400

Type: Gjellerup 1090 (holo BO; iso L)

Rhizome creeping, 1.2-1.5 mm diam. Pseudobulbs ovoid, 0.2-0.6 cm apart, 1.1-2.5 by 0.3-0.5 cm, not or hardly flattened. Petiole 4-15 mm. Leaf blade elliptic to obovate, 3.3-7.5 by 0.8-1.4 cm, index 3.9-7.5, tip acute. Inflorescence 4-9 cm, 1-flowered. Peduncle 2-3 cm; bracts 2-3, the longest 3.5-5 mm. Floral bracts tubular, c. 3 mm, tip obtuse to acute. Pedicel and ovary 11-23 mm, with the node 1.7-3.5 mm from the floral bract. Flowers moderately opening. Median sepal ovate, 6-37 by 3-7 mm, index 1.212.3, tip short acuminate to caudate; margins glabrous to finely ciliate; thin; adx. glabrous to slightly pubescent; abx. glabrous. Lateral sepals free, oblique, 6-37 by 2.5-6 mm, index 1.5-15, tip acute to caudate; otherwise as the median sepal. Petals ovate to triangular, 0.4-1.3 by 0.9-2.5 mm, index 0.3-0.7, tip rounded to obtuse; margins glabrous to deeply lacerate; thin; surface glabrous. Lip approx. straight or somewhat curved, general outline approx. orbicular, ovate, elliptic, or triangular, 3.5-6.5 by 1.6-6 mm, index 1-3 (not spread), tip rounded to approx. acuminate; margins finely papillose; rather thick; surface approx. glabrous; adx. with a distinct basal concavity, basal teeth converging, together forming a transverse ridge with a notch half-way, basal part of the lip convex to slightly concave, gradually passing into the flat or convex top part of the lip; abx. with or without an inconspicuous, truncate median ridge. Column from ovary to the tip of the rostellum 1.5-1.8 mm; rostellum distinctly protruding; stigma orbicular, (slightly) protruding at its base; column-foot with a distinct, distinctly upwards pointing, rounded, central knob above the attachment of the lip. Anther abx. with a wide ridge; front margin not protruding. (After Vermeulen, 1993)

Colours: Sepals and petals white or cream-coloured. Lip white or purple.

Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 1600-2100 m.

Flowering time in the wild: April, May, June, July, August, December.

Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).

Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Indonesia); see map 96-1279M.jpg.

Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.

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