Bulbophyllum chloranthum Schltr. in K.Schum. & Lauterb., Nachtr. Fl. Deutsch. Schutzgeb. Südsee (1905) 197
Type: Schlechter 14642 (Neu Mecklenburg, near Punam) (holo B, lost; iso BO)
Rhizome creeping, 1.5-5 mm diam.; all rhizome scales slightly shorter to longer than the internodes. Roots in tufts below each pseudobulb. Pseudobulbs ovoid, 3-15 cm apart, 0.7-2.2 by 0.5-2.5 cm, not laterally flattened. Petiole 7-30 mm. Leaf blade ovate to elliptic, 4-14 by 0.9-4 cm, index 2.3-14, tip acute to acuminate. Inflorescence 10-39 cm, 2-40-flowered. Peduncle 9-21 cm; bracts 5-8, the longest 5-10 mm. Rachis approx. pendulous, 1-21 cm. Floral bracts triangular, 3-7 mm, tip acute. Pedicel and ovary 5.5-12 mm, with the node 0.5-1.5 mm from the floral bract. Flowers many open at the time, moderately opening. Median sepal with two folds along the midvein near the base, ovate to triangular, 12-26 by 3-6 mm, index 3.3-6.5, tip acute to acuminate; rather thin, often thickened towards the tip; glabrous. Lateral sepals connate or free, oblique, ovate to triangular, 18-46 by 3-8 mm, index 4.3-8, tip acute to acuminate; rather thin; glabrous. Petals ovate to elliptic, 2.5-7 by 1.5-3.5 mm, index 1.6-2.1, tip obtuse to acute; thin; glabrous. Lip curved, general outline ovate to subpanduriform, 1.4-3 by 0.8-1.8 mm, index 1.4-2 (not spread); tip rounded; margins glabrous or very finely papillose to ciliolate; thick; surface approx. glabrous or slightly papillose locally; adx. concave near the base, with an inconspicuous to distinct median ridge, with 2 more ridges converging in front approx. half-way, abx. with a retuse median ridge. Column from ovary to the tip of the stelidia 1-2 mm; stigma with a distinct tooth at its base, approx. sickle-shaped; column-foot approx. without accessories. Stelidia (obliquely) truncate. Anther abx. with a ridge towards its base; front margin protruding. Pollinia rarely 2, usually 4; the inner pair less than half as long as the outer pair. (After Vermeulen, 1993)
Colours: Leaves often glaucous, or suffused with purple. Flowers pale yellowish to yellowish green. Lateral sepals sometimes suffused with purple, or entirely purple.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 21-1100 m.
Flowering time in the wild: January, February, March, July, October, November.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea), Solomon Islands.
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Indonesia); Papua New Guinea; see map 96-326M.jpg.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.