Bulbophyllum ptychantyx J.J.Verm., Orchid Monogr. 7 (1993) 170, fig. 125
Type: Cruttwell 3339 (holo L)
Rhizome creeping, 0.15 cm diam. Pseudobulbs ovoid, 0.4 cm apart, 1.2-2 by 0.5-0.8 cm, not or hardly flattened. Petiole c. 7 mm. Leaf blade elliptic, 6.5-12.5 by 1 cm, index c. 6.5; tip acute. Inflorescence c. 13 cm, 1-flowered; peduncle c. 7 cm. Floral bracts 3. the longest 0.6 cm. Floral bracts tubular, 0.6-0.7 cm; tip acuminate. Pedicel and ovary 17-20 mm, with the node 0.4-0.6 cm from the floral bract. Flowers moderately opening. Median sepal ovate, 50-80 by 6-9 mm, index 6-14; tip caudate, margins finely ciliate; rather thin; surface glabrous. Lateral sepals free, oblique, 55-80 by 6.5-9 mm, index 714; otherwise as the median sepal. Petals rhombiform, 0.6 by 1.2 mm, index 0.5; tip acute; rather thick, glabrous. Lip curved base, general outline ovate, 9-10 by 4-5 mm, index 2-2.3 (not spread); tip obtuse to subacute, thick; adaxially with a distinct basal concavety, basal teeth converging, not touching tip, together forming a transversely ridge, basal part of the lip concave, margins and surface glabrous, passing into the top part of the lip with a transversely ridge which in front ends in 3 short longitudinal ridges, top part of the lip with the, margins sharply folded over the adaxial side and covering most of it, margins and surface distinctly papillose-pilose; abaxially without a median ridge. Column from ovary to the tip of the rostellum 0.2-0.3 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 a broad ridge on which a rounded crest towards its base; front margin somewhat protruding. (After Vermeulen, 1993)
Colours: Pseudobulbs pale green. Leaves the middle green. Sepals cream-coloured or straw yellow, with purple veins and sometimes with a purple tip. Lip purple, adaxially with or without a white median line, sometimes white abaxially.
Habitat: Epiphyte in montane forest; 2100-2800 m.
Flowering time in the wild: February, November.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea; see map 96-1492M.jpg.
Cultivation: Cool growing epiphyte.