Bulbophyllum singulare Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 740
Type: Schlechter 19309 (holo B, lost)
Robust epiphyte, similar in habit to B. grandiflorum Blume. Rhizome rather thick, creeping; roots filiform, flexuose, glabrous. Pseudobulbs c. 3 cm apart, narrowly conical, 4-angular, 1-leaved, 3.5-5 by 0.5-0.7 cm. Leaves erect, obovate-oblong, broadly obtuse, at the base almost stalk-like narrowed, glabrous, rather fleshy, 11-18 by 3-4 cm. Inflorescence erect, straight, 1-flowered, with a few tightly clasping, distant peduncle-scales, 15-20 cm long. Floral bract cucullate, apiculate, much shorter than the ovary. Flower erect, very large. Median sepal ligulate, at the base cuneate, obtuse, c. 11 by 1.5 cm. Lateral sepals falcate-ligulate, subobtuse, 7.5 by 1 cm. Petals at the base obliquely triangular, aristate-acuminate, in total 0.7 cm long. Lip at the base rectangular and puberulous, oblong-ligulate, 0.7 cm long, obtuse, strongly curved, in the basal half with densely and shortly ciliate margins, underneath with a high keel. Column rather thick, stelidia short, rhombic with obtuse angles; column-foot strongly incurved. Anther oblongoid-cucullate, dorsally 2-umbonate, glabrous. Ovary with pedicel terete, glabrous, c. 5 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1913)
Colours: Flower somewhat reddish, the median sepal with elongated whitish spots, the lateral sepals in the apical part suffused with white, petals, lip and column yellowish.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lowland forest; 300 m.
Flowering time in the wild: April.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea; see map 96-1714M.jpg.
Cultivation: Warm growing epiphyte.