Bulbophyllum theioglossum Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 854
Type: Schlechter 19524 (holo B, lost)
Epiphyte, spreading, to 30 cm long. Rhizome stem-like, branched, densely covered with overlapping sheaths. Roots filiform, flexuose, glabrous. Pseudobulbs 3-6 cm apart, cylindrical, parallel to the rhizome, 0.5 cm long; 1-leaved. Leaf elliptic, apiculate, somewhat fleshy, 3-5 by 0.9-1.2 cm near the middle; base weakly narrowed into a petiole. Inflorescences 1-flowered, very short, with a few small peduncle-scales. Floral bracts cucullate, apiculate, surpassing the ovary. Flower glabrous. Sepals lanceolate, strongly acuminate-caudate, 1.1 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique. Petals obliquely ligulate, obtuse, 0.2 cm long; the margins to the apex somewhat irregular. Lip oblong, obtuse; in the middle somewhat constricted; from the middle to the apex the margins are recurved. Column very short; stelidia triangular, subacute; column-foot rather thick, porrect. Anther cucullate, glabrous. Ovary sessile, cylindrical, 0.2 cm long, glabrous. (After Schlechter, 1913)
Colours: Flower white with sulphur yellow lip.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 400-1200 m.
Flowering time in the wild: April, May.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea; see map 96-1829M.jpg.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.