Bulbophyllum polyphyllum Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 841
Type: Schlechter 20063 (holo B, lost)
Epiphyte, spreading, c. 20 cm long. Rhizome stem-like, covered with sheaths. Roots filiform, glabrous. Pseudobulbs crowded, subparallel to the rhizome, cylindrical, 0.5-0.7 by 0.2-0.3 cm; 1-leaved. Leaf narrowly elliptic-ligulate, apiculate, 4.5-5 by 0.8-1.1 cm near the middle. Inflorescences 1-flowered, fascicled, short, with a few small peduncle-scales. Floral bracts very small, distinctly shorter than the ovary. Sepals oblong, apiculate, glabrous, 0.33 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique. Petals obliquely oblong-ligulate, strongly obtuse; margins somewhat irregular. Lip fleshy, oblong, tongue-shaped, obtuse, 0.2 cm long; base subcordate; in apical half somewhat narrowed; underneath except the base and the middle covered with subulate papillae. Column short; stelidia long subulate, distinctly exceeding the middle of the lip. Anther quadrangular-cucullate, glabrous. Ovary pedicellate, glabrous, 0.35 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1913)
Colours: Flower whitish with dark red spots. Lip deep carmine red.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 800 m.
Flowering time in the wild: July, September.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea; see map 96-1459M.jpg.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.