Orchids of New Guinea

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Bulbophyllum subpatulum

Bulbophyllum subpatulum J.J.Verm., Gard. Bull. Singapore 54 (2002) 287 (nom. nov.)

Synonyms:

Bulbophyllum muscicola Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 870 (non Rchb.f.)
- Type: Schlechter 20241 (holo B, lost; iso BO?); neo: Carr 10252 (AMES, CANB, K, NY, chosen by Vermeulen 1993)
Bulbophyllum subpatulum J.J.Verm., Gard. Bull. Singapore 54 (2002) 287 (nom. nov.)

Basionym: Bulbophyllum muscicola

Rhizome creeping, 0.8-2 mm diam.; all rhizome scales shorter to slightly longer than the internodes. Roots in tufts below each pseudobulb. Pseudobulbs ovoid to orbicular or lenticular, 0.5-2.5 cm apart, 0.3-1 by 0,2-1 cm, not laterally flattened. Petiole 1-6 mm. Leaf blade ovate to elliptic, 0.6-4.1 by 0.4-1.7 cm, index 1.2-7.2, tip acute. Inflorescence 1.9-20 cm, 2-16-flowered. Peduncle 3.5-14 cm, bracts 3-4, the longest 2-4.5 mm. Rachis erect or arching, 0.2-6 cm. Floral bracts ovate, 1.8-2.5 mm, tip acute. Pedicel and ovary 2-10 mm, with the node 0.4-2 mm from the floral bract; ovary glabrous. Flowers all open at the time, widely opening. Median sepal ovate to elliptic, 4-11 by 1.86 mm, index 1.2-3, tip retuse to acuminate; thin; glabrous. Lateral sepals oblique, triangular to elliptic, 4-12 by 2-5.5 mm, index 1.3-3, tip obtuse to acuminate; otherwise as the median sepal. Petals oblique, elliptic to obovate, 2.8-5 by 1-4 mm, index 1-2.8, tip emarginate to subacute; margins glabrous or somewhat erose; thin; surface glabrous. Lip distinctly curved, general outline ovate to approx. orbicular, 1.5-3.2 by 1.5-3 mm, index 1-1.3 (not spread), tip obtuse to acute; rather thick but soft; glabrous; adx. moderately concave towards the base, sometimes with 2 inconspicuous ridges approx. half-way; abx. with a distinct, retuse median ridge. Column from ovary to the tip of the stelidia 0.8-1.5 mm; stigma with a distinct tooth at its base, narrowly elliptic or slit-like; column-foot without accessories. Stelidia inconspicuous, triangular, tip acute; upper margin sometimes erose, sometimes with an inconspicuous, small, deltoid, rounded to acute wing along the lower margin. Anther abx. with an inconspicuous ridge towards its base; front margin not protruding. Pollinia 2. (After Vermeulen, 1993)

Colours:

Plants often suffused with purple. Sepals and petals whitish or yellow, usually with purple veins; sometimes entirely suffused with pinkish purple. Lip yellow, usually with a purple streak along the median line, or suffused with purple, or entirely dark purple.

Habitat:

Epiphyte in lower montane forest; 0-2450 m.

Distribution:

Malesia (New Guinea).

Distribution New Guinea:

Papua (Indonesia); Papua New Guinea; see map

Distribution of Bulbophyllum subpatulum in New Guinea

Cultivation:

Intermediate growing epiphyte.

Flowering time in the wild:

January, February, April, May, July, September, October, November.

References:

Schlechter, R., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 21 (1928) t. 304, fig. 1166, as Bulbophyllum muscicola Schltr.
Vermeulen, J.J., Orchid Monogr. 7 (1993) 106, fig. 64, pl. 3b, as Bulbophyllum muscicola Schltr.

Classification:

Family Orchidaceae
Subfamily Epidendroideae
Tribe Dendrobieae
Subtribe Bulbophyllinae
Genus Bulbophyllum
Section Macrouris
Species Bulbophyllum subpatulum