Bulbophyllum absconditum

Bulbophyllum absconditum J.J.Sm., Orchid. Java (1905) 449

Type: Korthals s.n. (Java, no loc., H.L.B. 904, 44-48) (lecto L, chosen by Vermeulen, 1993)

Rhizome patent to pendulous, up to 45 cm long, 0.6-2 mm diam. Pseudobulbs ovoid, ellipsoid, or globose, 0.4-2 cm apart, 0.2-1.3 by 0.2-0.5 cm, somewhat flattened or not. Petiole 0.5-1 mm. Leaf blade ovate to elliptic, 0.6-3.5 by 0.2-0.6 cm, index 1.97, tip acuminate. Inflorescence 0.3-0.5 cm, 1-flowered. Peduncle 0.1-0.2 cm; bracts 1, 1.5-3 mm. Floral bracts tubular, 1.1-2.8 mm, tip acuminate. Pedicel and ovary 0.7-1.5 mm, with the node 0.1-0.4 mm from the floral bract. Flowers widely opening. Median sepal ovate, 1.4-2.5 by 0.8-1.3 mm, index 1.5-3.1, tip obtuse to acuminate; rather thick; glabrous. Lateral sepals free, oblique, 1.5-2.4 by 0.6-1 mm, index 2-3; otherwise as the median sepal. Petals somewhat oblique, ovate to elliptic, 0.5-1 by 0.3-0.7 mm, index 1.2-2.3, tip (sub)acute; margins glabrous or slightly erose, often with one inconspicuous tooth at both sides; thin; surface glabrous. Lip approx. straight, general outline ovate to subhastate, 0.5-0.9 by 0.3-0.6 mm, index 1.2-2 (not spread), tip rounded to acute; thick, thinner towards the tip; glabrous or somewhat papillose; adx. with a distinct basal concavity, basal teeth converging, together forming a transverse ridge with a deep notch half-way, top part of the lip slightly concave; abx. without a median ridge. Column from ovary to the tip of the rostellum 0.3-0.5 mm; rostellum distinctly protruding; stigma ovate, slightly protruding at its base; column-foot with a distinct, rounded central knob above the attachment of the lip. Stelidia absent or inconspicuous, if present deltoid, tip obtuse. Anther abx. with a ridge towards its base; front margin somewhat protruding. (After Vermeulen, 1993)

Colours: Sepals and petals translucent white, pale yellow or pale green. Lip white, yellow, pale green or orange.

Habitat: Epiphyte in forest; 900 m.

Flowering time in the wild: February.

Distribution: Malesia (Sumatra, Java, Lesser Sunda Is., New Guinea, ?Philippines), Vanuatu, New Caledonia.

Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea; see map 96-37M.jpg.

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