Bulbophyllum simile Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 858
Type: Schlechter 18770 (holo B, lost; iso AMES)
Rhizome patent to pendulous, up to 25 cm long, 0.6-1.2 mm diam. Pseudobulbs (ob)ovoid, ellipsoid, or globular, 0.4-3 cm apart, 0.2-1.2 by 0.2-0.4 cm, not or hardly flattened. Petiole 0.5-0.8 mm. Leaf blade ovate to elliptic, 0.4-3.2 by 0.1-0.5 cm, index 3.5-8, tip acute to acuminate. Inflorescence 0.35-0.5 cm, 1-flowered. Peduncle 0.1-0.2 cm; bracts 1, 1.5-2.8 mm. Floral bracts tubular, 1-2 mm, tip obtuse. Pedicel and ovary 0.8-1.5 mm, with the node 0.2-0.6 mm from the floral bract. Flowers moderately opening. Median sepal ovate to elliptic, 1.5-2.2 by 0.6-0.9 mm, index 2.1-2.5, tip subacute to acuminate; rather thin; glabrous. Lateral sepals free, oblique 1.4-2.8 by 0.5-0.9 mm, index 2-5.8; otherwise as the median sepal. Petals obovate, sometimes approx. clawed, 0.9-1.2 by 0.3-0.8 mm, index 1.2-3, tip rounded to obtuse; margins sometimes finely papillose and/or erose; rather thin; adx. glabrous or finely papillose; abx. glabrous. Lip approx. straight, general outline (ob)ovate, 0.8-1 by 0.4-0.5 mm, index 1.6-2.3 (not spread), tip rounded; very thick and solid; glabrous or finely to coarsely papillose towards the tip; adx. with a basal concavity, basal teeth converging, together forming a transverse ridge with a notch half-way, basal part of the lip somewhat concave, gradually passing into the convex top part of the lip; abx. approx. without a median ridge. Column from ovary to the tip of the stelidia 0.2-0.4 mm; rostellum not protruding; stigma elliptic, not or hardly protruding at its base; column-foot with a rounded central knob above the attachment of the lip. Stelidia triangular, tip obtuse to acute; with or without an inconspicuous, rounded, wing along the lower margin. Anther abx. with a ridge; front margin somewhat protruding. (After Vermeulen, 1993)
Colours: Sepals and petals white, pale yellow or pale greenish. Lip yellow, orange, red, brown or very dark green.
Habitat: Epiphyte in montane forest; 0-2300 m.
Flowering time in the wild: February, July, September, November.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea; see map 96-1706M.jpg.
Cultivation: Cool growing epiphyte.