Bulbophyllum plicatum J.J.Verm., Orchid Monogr. 7 (1993) 169, fig. 124
Type: Reeve 1050 (holo L; iso L, LAE)
Rhizome creeping, 0.08-0.1 cm diam. Pseudobulbs ovoid, 0.2-0.5 cm apart, 0.4-0.7 by 0.2-0.3 cm, not or hardly flattened. Petiole 1-2 mm. Leaf blade elliptic, 0.8-1.4 by 0.3-0.5 cm, index 2.6-2.8; tip acute. Inflorescence 1.8-2.3 cm, 1-flowered; peduncle 1-1.5 cm. Floral bracts c. 3. the longest c. 1.8 mm Floral bracts tubular, c. 2 mm; tip acuminate. Pedicel and ovary c. 5 mm, with the node 0.1 cm from the floral bract. Flowers moderately opening. Median sepal ovate to elliptic, c. 4 by 2 mm, index c. 2; tip acute, thin, glabrous. Lateral sepals free, oblique, ovate, c. 3.7 by 2 mm, index 1.7-1.8; otherwise as the median sepal. Petals elliptic, 0.4 by 0.9 mm, index 0.4-0.5; tip truncate, thin, glabrous. Lip approximately straight, general outline ovate, c. 2 by 1.7 mm, index c. 1.2 (not spread); tip shortly acuminate, margins irregularly papillose; rather thick; surface finely papillose locally; adaxially with a distinct basal concavety, basal teeth converging, together forming a transversely ridge with a deep notch half-way, basal part of the lip concave because of the sharply upwards folded, margins which project as two points, passing with a fold into the approximately flat top part of the lip; abaxially approximately without `a median ridge. Column from ovary to the tip of the rostellum 0.1 cm; rostellum distinctly protruding; stigma orbicular, protruding at its base. Column-foot with a distinct, distinctly upwards pointing, rounded central knob above the attachment of the lip. Anther abaxially with an inconspicuously ridge; front margin somewhat protruding. Pollinia (not seen). (After Vermeulen, 1993)
Colours: Sepals whitish, yellow tip, veins somewhat pink in young flowers. Lip whitish, veins and upturned folds pinkish red.
Habitat: Epiphyte in montane forest; 1800-2100 m.
Flowering time in the wild: March, August.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea; see map 96-1448M.jpg.
Cultivation: Cool growing epiphyte.