Bulbophyllum macrourum Schltr. in K.Schum. & Lauterb., Nachtr. Fl. Deutsch. Schutzgeb. Südsee (1905) 207
Type: Schlechter 15744 (holo B, lost; iso BO); neo: Schlechter 17016 (AMES, BM, BO, K, L, chosen by Vermeulen 1993)
Rhizome perpendicularly hanging down, up to 45 cm long, sometimes winged, largest diam. 0.6-1.2 mm; rhizome portion between two pseudobulbs usually with a node at 1/4 to 1/2 of its length; rhizome scales of the longest internodes distinctly shorter than those internodes, leaving bare large portions of the rhizome. Roots often all close to the base of the rhizome. Pseudobulbs approx. cylindrical, 1-5 cm apart, 0.3-0.9 by 0.1-0.3 cm, often somewhat flattened. Petiole 0.7-2 mm. Leaf blade ovate to elliptic, 1.5-5.6 by 0.82.8 cm, index 1.5-3.2, tip acuminate. Inflorescence 3.8-10 cm, 3-9-flowered. Peduncle 1.8-3.5 cm; bracts 3, the longest 4-7 mm. Rachis pendulous, 0.8-4 cm. Floral bracts ovate to triangular, 1.5-4 mm, tip acute. Pedicel and ovary 5-10 mm, with the node 1-2 mm from the floral bract. Flowers many open at the time, moderately opening. Median sepal ovate, 9-30 by 1.8-3.2 mm, index 4-10, tip long acuminate to caudate; thin; glabrous. Lateral sepals free, oblique, ovate to triangular, 12-37 by 2-4 mm, otherwise as the median sepal. Petals ovate to elliptic, 2.2-4 by 1-2 mm, index 1.9-2.5, tip obtuse to acute; thin; glabrous. Lip curved, general outline ovate to elliptic, in lateral view approx. equally high up to, or over half-way its length, 2.5-4 by 1.5-2 mm, index 1.6-2 (not spread), tip rounded; thick but soft; glabrous; adx. concave near the base, often with 2 inconspicuous ridges close to the margins approx. half-way; abx. with an inconspicuous, a retuse median ridge. Column from ovary to the tip of the stelidia 0.9-1.5 mm; stigma protruding at its base, triangular, column-foot without accessories. Stelidia inconspicuous, triangular, tip acute. Anther abx. with a ridge; front margin protruding. Pollinia 2. (After Vermeulen, 1993)
Colours: Leaves often suffused with purple. Sepals and petals pale green, yellowish or white. Lip white or cream-coloured, sometimes with a purple blotch in the centre.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 795-2300 m.
Flowering time in the wild: April, June, August, October, November, December.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea; see map 96-1083M.jpg.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.