Bulbophyllum potamophilum Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 780 ('potamophila')
Type: Schlechter 19764 (holo B, lost)
Epiphyte, slender. Rhizome short. Roots filiform, flexuose, glabrous. Pseudobulbs close together, narrowly conical, obtuse, 3-4-angular, 1-1.5 by 0.25-0.4 cm at the base; 1-leaved. Leaf erect, linear-ligulate, apiculate, glabrous, 4-7 by 0.5-0.7 cm wide. Inflorescence 1-flowered, 3-4 cm long, filiform, with a few small peduncle-scales. Floral bract very small, many times shorter than the very long pedicel. Flower erect. Median sepal lanceolate, acuminate, 1.7 cm long. Lateral sepals falcate, lanceolate-ligulate, acute, c. 2.5 cm long. Petals oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, glabrous, 0.25 cm long. Lip curved, somewhat fleshy, ligulate, obtuse; underneath keeled. Column short; stelidia triangular-subulate; column-foot incurved. Pedicel and ovary very slender, glabrous, to 12 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1913)
Colours: Flower snow-white. Median sepal striped red.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 1200 m.
Flowering time in the wild: June.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea; see map 96-1467M.jpg.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.