Bulbophyllum piliferum J.J.Sm., Bull. Dép. Agric. Indes Néerl. 19 (1908) 8
Type: Versteeg 1330 (not BO, not L)
Rhizome pendulous, c. 8 cm long, covered with veined sheaths. Pseudobulbs spirally arranged, appressed to the rhizome, oblongoid, in front with a broad deep groove, 1.2-1.5 cm apart, 0.2-0.27 by 0.14-0.16 cm; 1-leaved. Leaf patent, somewhat curved, linear-lanceolate, acute, acuminate, thick fleshy, 2-2.5 by 0.35-0.4 cm; base narrowed; above obtusely concave, longitudinally grooved; below strongly convex. Inflorescence from the nodes of the rhizome, very short, 1-flowered; base covered with large, tubular, acuminate, 0.25 cm long scales; peduncle 0.18 cm long. Bract clasping and overtopping the ovary; at the base tubular, triangular, acuminate, membranous, 0.18 cm long. Flower very small, with almost parallel sepals. Median sepal ovate, subulate-acuminate, concave, 3-nerved, 0.23 by 0.1 cm; apex long hair-like, 0.27 cm long. Lateral sepals obliquely oblong-triangular, acuminate, concave, 0.27 cm long; apex long hair-like, 0.26 cm long; mentum very short, obtuse. Petals very small, ovate, obtuse, somewhat retuse, 1-nerved, 0.08 cm long. Lip mobile, very small, curved, tongue-shaped, obtuse, 0.08 cm long; base channelled; convex underneath. Column very short, 0.05 cm long; filament rather large, triangular, acuminate; column-foot forming an obtuse angle with the ovary, porrect, straight, convex, 0.07 cm long. Anther hood-shaped, round, base emarginate; connective at apex rib-like swollen. Ovary 0.06 cm long. (After Smith, 1909)
Colours: Flower greenish yellow.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lowland forest; 75-2300 m.
Flowering time in the wild: January, April, June, July, August, October.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Indonesia); Papua New Guinea.
Cultivation: Warm growing epiphyte.