Bulbophyllum ellipticum Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 848
Type: Schlechter 17254; 19170 (K); 20099 (B, lost; iso AMES, BO, L)
Epiphyte, erect or suberect, 15-25 cm high. Rhizome stem-like. Roots filiform, glabrous. Pseudobulbs superposed, very tightly adnate to the rhizome, c. 2-3 cm by 0.2 cm; 1-leaved. Leaf ligulate or narrowly elliptic-ligulate, apiculate, 3-4 by 0.5-0.7 cm near the middle; base somewhat narrowed. Inflorescences 1-flowered, very short, with a few small peduncle-scales. Floral bracts very small, much shorter than the ovary. Sepals at the base ovate-lanceolate, long acuminate, glabrous. Median sepal 0.9 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique, c. 1 cm long. Petals obliquely ovate-oblong, obtuse, glabrous, 0.2 cm long; margins somewhat irregular. Lip elliptic, subobtuse, glabrous, 0.38 cm long; base somewhat notched. Column very short; stelidia falcate-subulate, short; column-foot thickened, almost straight. Anther helmet shaped-cucullate, glabrous. Pedicel and ovary 0.7 cm long, glabrous. (After Schlechter, 1913)
Colours: Flower white. Lip yellows, at the base with a red spot.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 900-1200 m.
Flowering time in the wild: January, June, September.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea; see map 96-580M.jpg.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.