Bulbophyllum melinoglossum Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 721
Type: Schlechter 19879 (holo B, lost; iso AMES, BO, L)
Epiphyte, small, 4-7 cm high. Rhizome very short. Roots filiform, elongated, flexuose, glabrous. Pseudobulbs ovoid-cylindrical, 0.5-0.9 by 0.2-0.4 cm below the middle; 1-leaved. Leaf erect, narrowly elliptic-ligulate, minutely apiculate, glabrous, 2.5-6.5 by 0.7-1.4 cm near the middle; base narrowed. Inflorescence 1-flowered, basal, short, with few, very small peduncle-scales. Floral bracts elliptic, apiculate, much shorter than the pedicellate ovary. Flower erect or erect-patent, small for the section. Sepals lanceolate-ligulate, acute, glabrous, c. 1.1 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique. Petals ovate-lanceolate, subacute, glabrous, 0.1 cm long; above the base on either side dilated into a short, obtuse, lobule. Lip lanceolate-ligulate, obtuse, 0.8 by 0.25 cm near the middle; base narrowed, minutely concave-auriculate; below the middle dilated; margins recurved; upper side convex; minutely papillose-puberulous except for the basal one-third; below concave, with a bipartite, puberulous to near the middle decurrent keel. Column slightly curved, with dilated base, very small; stelidia short, quadrangular, in front truncate, with a decurved tooth; clinandrium lacerate; column-foot almost absent. Anther cordate-ovate, obtuse, umbo oblong, papillose. Pedicel and ovary slender, glabrous, 0.7 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1913)
Colours: Flowers rose-red. Lip pale yellow, red at the base. Petals white with two red spots.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 1100-1200 m.
Flowering time in the wild: June, July.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea; see map 96-1126M.jpg.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.