Bulbophyllum trachyglossum Schltr. in K.Schum. & Lauterb., Nachtr. Fl. Deutsch. Schutzgeb. Südsee (1905) 217
Type: Schlechter 14685 (holo B, lost)
Epiphyte, c. 12 cm high. Rhizome very short. Roots filiform, elongated, flexuose glabrous. Pseudobulbs subcylindrical, towards the base somewhat dilated, terete, glabrous, 1.5-1.7 by 0.3 cm at the base, above the base 0.25 cm; 1-leaved. Leaf erect, narrowly lanceolate, acute, in the genus thin, glabrous, 8-11 by 1.2-1.7 cm near the middle; base gradually narrowed. Inflorescence 1-flowered erect, very slender, filiform, terete, glabrous, 4-5 cm long. Floral bracts ovate-lanceolate, acuminate, much shorter than the ovary. Flowers large for the section, erect. Sepals narrowly lanceolate, acute, glabrous, reflexed, c. 1.5 cm long. Petals minute, subfalcate, lanceolate, acute, 0.2 cm long; in lower half somewhat contracted in the oblique triangular top part. Lip somewhat fleshy, narrowly oblong, tongue-shaped, densely papillose, glabrous, 1.3 cm long; base contracted, minutely biauriculate; front part terete; underneath with a small cavity. Column slender for the genus, its base swollen, aucte; stelidia short, subquadrangular, in front truncate, serrulate; clinandrium serrulate; column-foot short. Anther cucullate, shortly incised. Ovary subcylindrical, glabrous, 2.3 cm long. (After Schlechter, 1905)
Colours: Flower dark purple.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 600 m.
Flowering time in the wild: July.
Distribution: Malesia (New Guinea), Solomon Islands, Fiji.
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea; see map 96-1860M.jpg.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.