Species Information - Bulbophyllum thersites

Bulbophyllum thersites J.J.Verm., Orchid Monogr. 7 (1993) 87, fig. 47

Type: Reeve 4389 (holo K; iso CBG, LAE, NSW)

Synonyms:

• Trachyrhachis thersites (J.J.Verm.) Szlach., Richardiana 7 (2007) 87

Rhizome creeping, 0.1 cm diam. Roots spreading. Pseudobulbs discoid to ovoid, 1-3 cm apart, 0.2-0.3 by 0.2-0.25 cm, not laterally flattened. Petiole 0.2-0.3 cm. Leaf blade elliptic, 3.7-4.3 by 1-2 cm, index 2-3.5; tip obtuse. Inflorescences single, or a few together on a short sympodium, 1.5-5.5 cm, to 36-flowered; peduncle 0.5-1.8 cm, bracts 3. the longest 0.2 cm. Rachis arching or nodding base, distinctly zigzag bent, to 6.5 cm. Floral bracts triangular, 0.18-0.25 cm; tip acute to acuminate, abaxially with a distinct median keel. Pedicel and ovary 0.7-0.75 cm, with the node 0.1-0.13 cm from the floral bract. Flowers scattered, 1 open time, moderately opening. Median.sepal elliptic, 0.45 by 0.35 cm, index 1.3; tip an approximately straight, subulate projection 0.1 cm long, ending in a thickened knob, margins finely papillose, thin; surface glabrous; abaxially with a median keel with a lacerate crest. Lateral sepals oblique, approximately orbicular, 0.28 by 0.25 cm, index c. 1.1. top part incurved, with a globular projection; otherwise as the median sepal. Petals ovate, 0.17 by 0.12 cm, index c. 1.4; tip subacute, thin, glabrous. Lip curved towards the base and towards the tip, general outline ovate, 0.18 by 0.1 cm, index c. 1.8 (not spread); tip acute, margins distinctly ciliate; rather thin and soft; surface entirely very finely papillose; adaxially slightly concave but with a distinct median thickening near the base, slightly convex towards the tip; abaxially with a distinct, retuse median ridge. Column from ovary to the tip of the rostellum 0.1 cm; stigma with a distinctly protruding tooth at its base, approximately orbicular. Column-foot approximately without accessories. Stelidia deltoid, 0.03 cm; tip approximately acute; upper margin somewhat erose, lower margin with an inconspicuously, deltoid, rounded wing. Anther abaxially with a ridge towards its base; front margin protruding. (After Vermeulen, 1993)

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