Bulbophyllum pungens Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 852
Type: Schlechter 16749 (syn B, lost; iso AMES, K); 16909 (syn B, lost; iso K)
Epiphyte, pendulous, to 30 cm long. Rhizome stem-like, branched, covered with apiculate, sheaths. Roots at the base of the stem, filiform, glabrous. Pseudobulbs 1-2.5 cm apart, cylindrical, subparallel to the rhizome, 0.5 by 0.2-0.25 cm diam. Leaves lanceolate-ligulate, pungent-acute, thick fleshy, 3-6 by 0.5-0.8 cm near the middle; base slightly narrowed into a petiole. Inflorescences 1-flowered, very short, with a few small peduncle-scales. Floral bracts cucullate, two times as long as the ovary. Sepals lanceolate, strongly acuminate-caudate, glabrous, 0.7 cm long. Lateral sepals oblique. Petals obliquely elliptic, broadly obtuse, subretuse, glabrous, 0.13 cm long. Lip somewhat fleshy, ovate, obtuse, glabrous, 0.1 cm long. Column very short; stelidia triangular, subobtuse; column-foot somewhat incurved. Anther cucullate, glabrous. Ovary sessile, cylindrical, 0.1 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1913)
Colours: Flower white. Lip white, sometimes yellow.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 1000-1200 m.
Flowering time in the wild: June, October, November.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea; see map 96-1508M.jpg.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.