Bulbophyllum scopula Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 805
Type: Schlechter 19013 (holo B, lost)
Epiphyte, very small. Rhizome very short. Roots filiform, glabrous. Pseudobulbs very small, oblongoid, 0.2-0.35 cm high; 1-leaved. Leaf narrow elliptic-ligulate, apiculate, glabrous, 1.5-2.5 by 0.3-0.55 cm above the middle; base gradually weakly narrowed into a petiole. Inflorescences 1-flowered, at the base attached to a very short, common axis, forming a sympodial, broom-like structure; peduncle very thin, 0.8 cm long, with a few small peduncle-scales. Floral bracts cucullate, almost as long as the sessile ovary. Flower not resupinated. Sepals lanceolate, acute, glabrous, 0.4 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique, up to near the apex tightly connate along the interior margins. Petals obliquely lanceolate, slightly more than half as long as the sepals, glabrous. Lip long, linear, subacute, in total 0.33 cm long; base about quadrangular with 2 minute backwards pointing auricles and 2 larger, curved, obliquely oblong, obtuse auricles pointing forwards, and with a minute, cordate callus; feather-like ciliate with clavate hairs. Column very short; stelidia long, obliquely linear-subulate; column-foot somewhat fleshy. Anther glabrous. Ovary sessile, glabrous, 0.1 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1913)
Colours: Flower red. Lip darker red, white at the base.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 1100 m.
Flowering time in the wild: December.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea; see map 96-1664M.jpg.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.