Bulbophyllum patella

Bulbophyllum patella J.J.Verm., Orchid Monogr. 7 (1993) 168, fig. 122

Type: Jongejan cult. 1580 (holo L, alc.)

Rhizome creeping, 1.8-3 mm diam. Pseudobulbs ovoid, 0.4-0.6 cm apart, 0.8-1.8 by 0.4-0.7 cm, not or hardly flattened. Petiole 3-25 mm. Leaf blade elliptic, 2.1-7 by 0.8-1.5 cm, index 2.1-7.5; tip acute. Inflorescence 6.5-9 cm, 1-flowered; peduncle 3.5-6.8 cm. Floral bracts 2-3. the longest 2-S mm Floral bracts tubular, 3-3.5 mm; tip acuminate. Pedicel and ovary 16-35 mm, with the node 2.2-3 mm from the floral bract. Flowers moderately opening. Median sepal elliptic to obovate, 10-18 by 5.5-10 mm, index 1.3-2; tip (sub)acute, thin, glabrous. Lateral sepals free, oblique, ovate to elliptic, 11-21 by 4.4-8 mm, index 1.6-2.7; otherwise as the median sepal. Petals sometimes approximately absent, if present triangular, 0.2-0.6 by 0.6-1 mm, index 0.2-1; tip rounded to acute, thin, glabrous. Lip curved base, general outline ovate to elliptic, 8-12.5 by 4.5-8.5 mm, index 1.2-1.8 (not spread); tip rounded; rather thin, glabrous; adaxially with a distinct basal concavety, basal teeth converging, not touching tip, top part of the lip flat or concavee; abaxially approximately without a median ridge. Column from ovary to the tip of the rostellum 2-2.5 mm; rostellum distinctly protruding; stigma orbicular, distinctly protruding at its base. Column-foot with a distinct, distinctly upwards pointing, rounded central knob above the attachment of the lip. Anther abaxially with a broad ridge; front margin protruding. (After Vermeulen, 1993)

Colours: Plant green. Sepals bright yellow to orange, sometimes with purple veins. Lip bright yellow, generally with a purple median line. Column-foot white.

Habitat: Epiphyte in montane forest; 1800-2200 m.

Flowering time in the wild: January, February.

Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).

Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea; see map 96-1375M.jpg.

Cultivation: Cool growing epiphyte.

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