Bulbophyllum parabates

Bulbophyllum parabates J.J.Verm., Rheedea 1 (1991) 68, fig. 1

Type: LAE (Benjamin) 67880 (holo L; iso AMES, BRI, CANB, E, K, LAE)

Rhizome creeping, 0.08-0.16 cm diam. Roots spreading. Pseudobulbs orbicular to ovoid, 2.5-4.5 cm apart, 0.15-0.2 by 0.12-0.18 cm, hardly to moderately flattened. Petiole 0.05-0.15 cm. Leaf blade elliptic, 1.2-1.8 by 0.7-1.4 cm, index 1-2; tip rounded. Inflorescence usually single, 7-13 cm, to 35-flowered; peduncle 5-10 cm. Floral bracts 5. the longest 0.25-0.35 cm. Rachis nodding, to 4.5 cm. Floral bracts triangular, 0.35-0.5 cm; tip acuminate, abaxially with a distinct median keel; surface somewhat papillose. Pedicel and ovary 0.35-0.5 cm, with the node 0.05-0.2 cm from the floral bract. Flowers scattered, 1 open time, opening moderately wide. Median sepal ovate, 0.32 by 0.13 cm, index 2.5; tip a straight, subulate projection 0.07 cm long, ending in a thickened, papillose knob; approximately glabrous, thin; abaxially with distinct, erose median keel. Lateral sepals connate over 1/2-2/3 of their length, obliquely ovate to elliptic, 0.35 by 0.13 cm, index c. 2.8. abaxially with an inconspicuously, somewhat erose keel near the base; otherwise as the median sepal. Petals ovate-triangular, 0.1 by 0.06 cm, index c. 1.6; tip obtuse, margins denticulate; very thin; surface glabrous. Lip 3-lobed, mid-lobe curved base, general outline elliptic-obovate, 0.2 by 0.08 cm, index c. 2.5 (not spread); tip rounded, thick, margins coarsely papillose-vesiculose; adaxially concave and with 3 parallel, short ridges near the base, which in front are clasped between 2 several ridges which in front converge and then continue as a single median ridge and in the back protrude as lobes; surface papillose towards the margins; abaxially approximately without a median ridge; surface papillose towards the margins; basal lobes with the frontal, margins converging over the adaxial surface of the lip, triangular to ovate; tip obtuse, margins somewhat erose-papillose, thin; surface approximately glabrous. Column from ovary to the tip of the stelidia 0.08 cm; stigma protruding at its base, obovate to elliptic; column-foot with distinct, approximately acute lateral wings close to the attachment of the lip. Stelidia inconspicuously, rounded; with a distinct, obtuse, tooth along the lower margin. Anther abaxially with a ridge towards its base; front margin not protruding. (After Vermeulen, 1993)

Colours: Not recorded.

Habitat: Epiphyte in lowland forest; 450 m.

Flowering time in the wild: December.

Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).

Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea; see map 96-1366M.jpg.

Cultivation: Warm growing epiphyte.

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