Bulbophyllum papulipetalum Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 771
Type: Schlechter 17321 (holo B, lost)
Epiphyte, very small, 6-9 cm high. Rhizome short. Roots filiform, flexuose, glabrous. Pseudobulbs narrowly conical, ascending, 0.5-0.8 by 0.2-0.4 cm above the base; 1-leaved. Leaf erect, linear, minutely apiculate, 5-7.5 by 0.3-0.45 cm in the middle; base gradually narrowed into a petiole. Inflorescence 1-flowered, short, c. 1.5 cm long, with a few small peduncle-scales. Floral bracts very small, many times shorter than the pedicel. Flower erect. Sepals lanceolate, glabrous. Median sepal subacute, 0.9 cm long. Lateral sepals subacute, 1.1 cm long. Petals obliquely linear-ligulate, obtuse, 0.25 cm long; apex with several subulate large papillae. Lip curved, ovate, obtuse, as long as the petals, fleshy, glabrous; in apical half narrowed. Column medium-sized, glabrous; stelidia prickle-shaped, very small. Anther oblongoid-cucullate, glabrous. Pedicel and ovary long, glabrous, 2.5 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1913)
Colours: Flowers white. Median sepal spotted brown. Petals violet, median white. Lip spotted violet.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 450-800 m.
Flowering time in the wild: February, August.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea; see map 96-1365M.jpg.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.