Bulbophyllum sannio J.J.Verm., Nordic J. Bot. 26 (2008) 167, fig. 22
Type: Jongejan cult. 1028 (holo L), from PNG, Milne Bay Prov., Agaun
Roots sprouting mainly below the pseudobulbs. Rhizome 3-4 mm in diameter, sections between pseudobulbs 1.5-3 cm long, creeping, bracts not persistent. Pseudobulbs 1.8-2.5 by 0.8-1.2 cm, distant, erect, ovoid. Leaves: petiole 1-1.2 cm long; blade 7.5-8.5 by 1.3-1.5 cm, index (length/width) 5.6-5.8, elliptic, obtuse. Inflorescence 11.5-13 cm long, 1-flowered; peduncle 8-9 cm long, erect to patent; non-floriferous bracts c. 3, the longest 4-4.8 mm long; floral bract c. 5.5 mm long, tubular, acute. Flowers fully opening. Pedicel-with-ovary c. 30 mm long, basal node on a c. 3 mm long stump. Dorsal sepal c. 20 by5 mm, index c. 4, reflexed, ovate, acute, margins slightly erose, thinly but densely ciliate, base rather narrowly attached, thin, adaxial surface hirsute, abaxial surface glabrous. Lateral sepals c. 21 by 6.5 mm, index 3.2-3.3, free, spreading, ovate-triangular, upper margin entire, lower margin somewhat folded inwards and strongly undulating, densely ciliate, otherwise as the dorsal sepal. Petals c. 4.2 by 2.6 mm, index c. 1.6, porrect, obliquely ovate with the upper margin widely expanded proximally, rounded, margins finely papillose proximally and near the tip, base rather broadly attached, very thin, surface about glabrous. Lip consisting of an oblong basal part c. 2.5 by 2.2 mm, index 1.1-1.2, and a linear or slightly spathulate top part c. 8 by 0.9 mm, index c. 8.9 (all not flattened); recurved near the base, obtuse, margins entire, surface largely glabrous; basal part adaxially concave, furrowed, with a median slit bordered by two thin, proximally highest and slightly papillose ridges, abaxially shallowly furrowed; top part more or less flat on both sides. Column c. 2 mm long; stigma subtriangular, without keels inside, with a slight swelling just below its base; foot widened, with distinct, rounded lateral teeth just above the ligament; stelidia c. 1.2 mm long, triangular, acute, with a minute, deltoid tooth along the upper margin and a slight widening along the lower margin; anther-cap abaxially with a large, flattened crest overtopping the front margin, surface finely papillose, front margin not drawn out; pollinia 4, ellipsoid, the inner as long as the outer, all slightly flattened; no appendages. (After Vermeulen, 2008)
Colours: Dorsal sepal whitish with thick reddish purple nerves, all hairs white, lateral sepals reddish purple, hairs white, petals translucent, top part with small blackish purple spots, lip reddish purple, yellowish near the base, with small, darker purple spots towards the margins of the basal part.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea; Papua New Guinea; see map 96-2341M.jpg.