Bulbophyllum ptilotes Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 797
Type: Schlechter 18281 (holo B, lost)
Epiphyte, very small. Rhizome very short. Roots filiform, flexuose, glabrous. Pseudobulbs oblongoid, 1-leaved. Leaves oblanceolate-ligulate, subacute or apiculate, glabrous, 1.5-3.5 by 0.4-0.6 cm above the middle; towards the base gradually narrowed into a petiole. Inflorescences 1-flowered, 4-5 cm long, setiform, erect, with a few small peduncle-scales. Floral bracts cucullate, less than half as long as the sessile ovary. Flower not resupinated. Sepals lanceolate, subobtuse, c. 1 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique, narrower than the median one, tightly connate up to the apex. Petals obliquely ovate-lanceolate, 0.23 cm long, subacute, on either side densely and minutely papillose-puberulous. Lip 0.6 cm long; basal part lanceolate, shortly 2-auriculate, with a lanceolate callus; above the base subulate-elongated; margins on either side with long, patent, feathery-ciliate hairs, the hairs towards the base with a slightly glandular-thickened apex. Column very short; stelidia falcate-subulate, very long; column-foot short. Ovary cylindrical, sessile, glabrous, 0.25 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1913)
Colours: Flower dark purple. Petals with greenish apex.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 1000 m.
Flowering time in the wild: September.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea; see map 96-1491M.jpg.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.