Bulbophyllum dichotomum J.J.Sm., Bull. Dép. Agric. Indes Néerl. 19 (1908) 5
Type: Versteeg 1537 (South New Guinea) (holo BO 2x; iso AMES, K, L, P)
Rhizome patent to pendulous with more or less patent branches, up to c. 200 cm long, 0.8-1.8 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, but occasionally sprouting along the entire rhizome. Pseudobulbs ellipsoid, to cylindrical, 1.3-31 cm apart, 0.51.8 by 0.1-0.4 cm, not flattened. Petiole 0.8-3 mm. Leaf blade ovate, 2.8-11.7 by 0.5-2.1 cm, index 3-12, tip acute to acuminate. Inflorescence 0.8-1.2 cm, (1-)2-flowered. Peduncle 0.1-0.3 cm; bracts c. 3, the longest 1.8-3 mm. Rachis 0.02 cm. Floral bracts ovate, 0.3-2.5 mm, tip obtuse to acuminate. Pedicel and ovary 1.2-2.5 mm, with the node 0.2-0.8 mm from the floral bract. Flowers open at the time, moderately opening. Median sepal ovate, 3.5-6 by 0.8-1.6 mm, index 3.5-5, tip acuminate; thin; glabrous. Lateral sepals free, ovate to triangular, 4.5-6.5 by 0.8-1.5 mm, index 3.6-6.5; otherwise as the median sepal. Petals (ob)ovate to elliptic, 1.2-2.1 by 0.5-1.3 mm, index 1.5-4.2, tip obtuse to acuminate; margins glabrous or finely erose; thin; surface glabrous. Lip approx. straight, general outline ovate, 1-1.7 by 0.3-0.7 mm, index 2.1-3.8 (not spread), tip obtuse; thick; glabrous; adx. concave and with 2 ridges converging in front near its base; abx. without a median ridge. Column from ovary to the tip of the stelidia 0.5-1 mm; stigma not protruding at its base, approx. orbicular; column-foot approx. without accessories. Stelidia triangular, tip acute. Anther abx. with a ridge towards its tip; front margin protruding. Pollinia 2. (After Vermeulen, 1993)
Colours: Plant dark green. Flowers cream-coloured or white.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 0-2800 m.
Flowering time in the wild: January, July, October, November.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea), Solomon Islands.
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Indonesia); Papua New Guinea; see map 96-510M.jpg.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.