Bulbophyllum algidum Ridl., Trans. Linn. Soc. London, Bot. 9 (1916) 181
Type: Kloss s.n. (Camp 13 to 14, 10500 to 12500 ft.) (holo BM)
Rhizome creeping, 1-2.5 mm diam. Pseudobulbs ovoid, 1-2.5 cm apart, 0.7-1.8 by 0.3-0.5 cm, hardly flattened. Petiole 3-6 mm. Leaf blade elliptic, 20-52 by 0.3-0.6 cm, index 5.5-9; tip acute. Inflorescence 13.5-22 cm, 1-flowered; peduncle 10-16 cm. Floral bracts 4-5. the longest 7-9 mm Floral bracts tubular, 6-8 mm; tip acute. Pedicel and ovary 12-18 mm, with the node 3.5-4 mm from the floral bract. Flowers moderately opening. Median sepal ovate, 28-48 by 6-8 mm, index 3.5-8; tip caudate; rather thin, glabrous. Lateral sepals free, oblique, 32-46 by 6-9 mm, index 3.8-5.3; otherwise as the median sepal. Petals oblique, ovate to triangular, 0.8-1.2 by 0.8-1.2 mm, index c. 1; tip obtuse to acute, thin, glabrous. Lip approximately straight, general outline elliptic or slightly obovate, 15-20 by 3.4-4.5 mm, index 3.7-4.6 (not spread); tip long acuminate, thick; approximately glabrous; adaxially with a distinct basal concavety, basal teeth converging, together forming a transversely ridge with a deep slit half-way, basal part of the lip with two short, rounded ridges, gradually passing into the convex top part of the lip; abaxially approximately without a median ridge. Column from ovary to the tip of the rostellum 0.2-0.3 cm; rostellum distinctly protruding; stigma elliptic, slightly protruding at its base. Column-foot with a distinct, somewhat upwards pointing, rounded central knob above the attachment of the lip. Anther abaxially with a ridge towards its tip; front margin protruding. Pollinia (not seen). (After Vermeulen, 1993)
Colours: Sepals pale purple with darker veins, or entirely dark purple. Lip purple, with or without a yellow tip.
Habitat: Terrestrial in subalpine grassland.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Indonesia); see map 96-76M.jpg.
Cultivation: Cool growing terrestrial, requires light position.