Bulbophyllum dependens Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 844
Type: Schlechter 19615; 19868 (B, lost)
Epiphyte, perpendicular pendulous, to 30 cm long. Rhizome stem-like, covered with sheaths. Roots filiform, glabrous. Pseudobulbs cylindrical, close together, subparallel to the rhizome, 0.7-1 by 0.25-0.35 cm. Leaf lanceolate-ligulate, acute, 6-12 by 0.9-1.4 cm below the middle. Inflorescences 1-flowered, short, with a few small peduncle-scales. Floral bracts very small, much shorter than the ovary. Sepals ovate, apiculate, glabrous, 0.5 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique. Petals obliquely oblong-spathulate, broadly obtuse, glabrous, 0.18 cm long; margin subdenticulate. Lip fleshy, oblong, obtuse, 0.35 cm long; base shortly 2-auriculate; above the base 2-ribbed; underneath in basal half and along the sides with dense obtuse papillae. Column short; stelidia subulate, exceeding the middle of the lip; column-foot somewhat incurved. Anther cucullate, glabrous. Pedicel and ovary glabrous, 0.6 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1913)
Colours: Flower violet. Petals blackish violet. Lip in front white.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 1200-1500 m.
Flowering time in the wild: May, June, October.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea; see map 96-496M.jpg.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.