Bulbophyllum trifilum J.J.Sm., Bull. Dép. Agric. Indes Néerl. 19 (1908) 10
Type: Versteeg 1511 (holo BO; iso K, L)
Rhizome erect, patent or pendulous with more or less patent branches, up to c. 60 cm long, 0.5-2 mm diam.; rhizome scales of the longest internodes distinctly shorter than those internodes, leaving bare large portions of the rhizome. Roots generally close to the base of the rhizome. Pseudobulbs ovoid, 0.6-6 cm apart, 0.2-2 by 0.1-0.4 cm, not flattened. Petiole 2-10 mm. Leaf blade ovate to elliptic, 0.9-13 by 0.2-1.5 cm, index 1.8-33, flat or semi-terete in section, tip acute to acuminate. Inflorescence 0.5-15 cm, 1-18-flowered. Peduncle 0.5-8 cm; bracts 3-4, the longest 2-6 mm. Rachis generally pendulous, 0.1-5.5 cm. Floral bracts ovate to triangular, 2-5 mm, tip acute. Pedicel and ovary 2-5 mm, with the node 0.2-1.5 mm from the floral bract. Flowers all open at the time, moderately opening. Median sepal ovate to triangular, 3.5-26 by 1.2-4.4 mm, index 3-13, tip long acuminate to caudate; thin; glabrous. Lateral sepals free, oblique, 3.5-31 by 1.2-4 mm, index 2.9-16, otherwise as the median sepal. Petals oblique, ovate to elliptic, 1.3-3.8 by 0.6-2.5 mm, index 1.5-3, tip obtuse to acuminate; margins glabrous to slightly erose; thin; surface glabrous. Lip curved, general outline ovate, 1.23.4 by 0.7-2 mm, index 1.3-2.5 (not spread), tip obtuse to acute; thick but soft; approx. glabrous; adx. concave near the base, abx. with an inconspicuous, retuse median ridge. Column from ovary to the tip of the stelidia 0.4-1.2 mm; stigma protruding at its base, obovate; column-foot without accessories. Stelidia inconspicuous, triangular, tip acute; upper margin sometimes erose, with or without an inconspicuous to distinct, rounded to acute tooth along the lower margin. Anther abx. with a ridge; front margin protruding. Pollinia 2. (After Vermeulen, 1993)
Colours: Sepals and petals pale greenish, yellowish or (creamy) white, sometimes suffused with some purple, or with purple veins. Lip cream-coloured, yellow or purpl.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lowland forest; 0-2900 m.
Flowering time in the wild: January, February, March, May, July, August, September, October, November, December.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Indonesia); Papua New Guinea; see map 96-1881M.jpg.
Cultivation: Warm growing epiphyte.