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Bulbophyllum brachypetalum

Bulbophyllum brachypetalum

Bulbophyllum brachypetalum Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 762

Type: Schlechter 19063 (holo B, lost); neo

Synonyms:

  • Peltopus brachypetalus (Schltr.) Szlach. & Marg., Polish Bot. J. 46 (2001) 115

Rhizome creeping, 1-2 mm diam. Pseudobulbs ovoid, 0.2-1 cm apart, 1-2.5 by 0.20.5 cm, not or hardly flattened. Petiole 6-9 mm. Leaf blade elliptic to obovate, 2.2-8 by 0.4-1.3 cm, index 3.9-10, tip acute. Inflorescence 7-10.5 cm, 1-flowered. Peduncle 58 cm; bracts 2-3, the longest 5-6 mm. Floral bracts tubular, 3.5-6 mm, tip acuminate. Pedicel and ovary 11-23 mm, with the node 2.3-5 mm from the floral bract. Flowers moderately opening. Median sepal ovate, 9-38 by 2-6.5 mm, index 3.8-8, tip long acuminate to caudate; margins glabrous to finely ciliate; thin; adx. glabrous to pubescent (see note); abx. glabrous or papillose around the veins. Lateral sepals free, oblique, 10.544 by 2.8-6.5 mm, index 4.2-7.4; otherwise as the median sepal. Petals elliptic to triangular, 0.4-0.9 by 1.4-1.5 mm, index 0.3-1.8, tip rounded to acuminate; thin; glabrous. Lip approx. straight or slightly incurved, general outline ovate to triangular, often slightly tapering towards the tip, 3.8-6.5 by 1.8-2.5 mm, index 1.9-2.6 (not spread), tip subacute; margins glabrous; thick; adx. with a distinct basal concavity, basal teeth converging, together forming a transverse ridge with a deep notch half-way, basal part of the lip not protruding beyond the ligament, distinctly concave, upwards curved margins thin and with sharp edges, gradually passing into the flat or slightly convex top part of the lip, entire surface glabrous; abx. with an inconspicuous, truncate median ridge, surface almost glabrous to papillose or pilose. Column from ovary to the tip of the rostellum 1.2-2.5 mm; rostellum distinctly protruding; stigma orbicular, somewhat protruding at its base; column-foot with a distinct, distinctly upwards pointing, rounded central knob above the attachment of the lip. Anther abx. with a wide ridge; front margin hardly protruding. (After Vermeulen, 1993)


Sepals white or cream-coloured, with pink or purple veins or not, or entirely purple. Petals hyaline, lip cream-coloured, yellow, or brownish, often with purple veins, or entirely purple.

Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 1300-2340 m.

Malesia (New Guinea).

Papua (Indonesia); Papua New Guinea; see map

Distribution of Bulbophyllum brachypetalum in New Guinea

Intermediate growing epiphyte.

January, July, November.

  • Schlechter, R., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 21 (1928) t. 253, fig. 964
  • Vermeulen, J.J., Orchid Monogr. 7 (1993) 155, fig. 107
  • Family Orchidaceae
  • Subfamily Epidendroideae
  • Tribe Dendrobieae
  • Subtribe Bulbophyllinae
  • Genus Bulbophyllum
  • Section Peltopus
  • Species Bulbophyllum brachypetalum

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Bulbophyllum brachypetalum

Overview picture of Bulbophyllum brachypetalum Schltr.

Bulbophyllum brachypetalum

Bulbophyllum brachypetalum Schltr., flower detail, column and lip base, oblique front view, photo P. Jongejan, collection Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, cult. P. Jongejan 1392

Bulbophyllum brachypetalum

Bulbophyllum brachypetalum Schltr., plant habit, photo P. Jongejan, collection Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, cult. P. Jongejan 1392

Bulbophyllum brachypetalum

Bulbophyllum brachypetalum Schltr., flower, oblique lateral view, photo P. Jongejan, collection Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, cult. P. Jongejan 1392

Bulbophyllum brachypetalum

Bulbophyllum brachypetalum Schltr., flower detail, column and lip, oblique front view, photo P. Jongejan, collection Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, cult. P. Jongejan 1392

Bulbophyllum brachypetalum

Bulbophyllum brachypetalum Schltr., Orchid Monogr. 7 (1993) 155, fig. 107, J.J. Vermeulen, drawing, plant habit and flower analysis, based on a Cruttwell 3204 (); b,c,e-j Jongejan 1352 (L); d Reeve 1018 (L)

Bulbophyllum brachypetalum

Bulbophyllum brachypetalum Schltr., floral analysis, R. Schlechter in Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 21 (1928) t. 253, fig. 964