Bulbophyllum plumula Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 796
Type: Schlechter 17775 (syn B, lost); 17950 (syn B, lost; K); 19677 (syn B, lost)
Epiphyte, slender. Rhizome very short. Roots filiform, flexuose, glabrous. Pseudobulbs ovoid-pyramidal, 4-angular, 0.8-1.5 by 0.5-0.7 cm above the base; 1-leaved. Leaf erect, ligulate, subobtuse or minutely apiculate, glabrous, 3-5.5 by 0.5-1 cm near the middle. Inflorescence 1-flowered, 6-10 cm long, wiry, very slender, with a few small peduncle-scales. Floral bracts cucullate, somewhat shorter than the ovary. Flower not resupinated. Sepals lanceolate-ligulate, acute, 1.6 cm long, with finely minutely ciliate margins. Lateral sepals oblique, tightly connate to near the apex. Petals obliquely broadly elliptic, 0.2 cm long, with an obtuse, incurved apicule; below the apex along the interior margins with short stiff hairs. Lip narrowly linear, obtuse, 1.3 cm long; base shortly 2-auriculate; near the base on either side with a minute, ovate-falcate, obtuse lobule; in the middle slightly narrowed; margins densely long-ciliate except in the basal third. Column very short; stelidia subulate, margins on either side with a minute tooth; column-foot short but distinct, the apex narrowed in the claw of the lip. Ovary sessile, cylindrical, glabrous, hardly 0.3 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1913)
Colours: Flowers dark purple.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 700-2600 m.
Flowering time in the wild: May, June, July, August, October.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea; see map 96-1450M.jpg.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.