Bulbophyllum quinquelobum Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 805
Type: Schlechter 20188 (holo B, lost)
Small epiphyte. Rhizome very short. Roots filiform, flexuose, glabrous. Pseudobulbs very small, oblongoid-cylindrical; 1-leaved, 0.2-0.3 cm long. Leaf erect-patent or erect, elliptic-ligulate, apiculate, or acute, glabrous, 1.3-2.5 by 0.4-0.6 cm near the middle; base cuneate. Inflorescences 1-flowered, c. 1 cm long, erect, very thin, with a few small peduncle-scales. Floral bracts cucullate, as long as the ovary. Flower not resupinated. Sepals lanceolate, acute, glabrous, 0.6 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique, tightly connate almost up to the apex. Petals obliquely ovate-elliptic, acute, 0.28 cm long; margins minutely finely ciliate. Lip blade long ligulate, subobtuse, in total 0.5 cm long; base with two minute, backwards pointing auricles and two small, at the base narrowed, obliquely subrhombic, truncate auricles; mid-lobe towards the base very minutely puberulous; above the middle with 2 oblong, papillose calli; margins very minutely and very shortly finely ciliate; with keel-like midrib. Column very short, moderately thick; stelidia short, lanceolate, subobtuse; column-foot incurved. Anther cucullate, glabrous. Ovary sessile, glabrous, 0.15 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1913)
Colours: Flower wine-red.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 800 m.
Flowering time in the wild: September.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea; see map 96-1532M.jpg.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.