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Bulbophyllum tortum

Bulbophyllum tortum

Bulbophyllum tortum Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1913) 744

Type: Schlechter 18454; 19941 (B, lost)

Rhizome 4-10 mm diam., sections between pseudobulbs 7-15 cm long, bract fibres rather thick, persistent. Pseudobulbs ovoid to cylindrical, 1.3-5 by 0.9-2.5 cm. Petiole 1.5-2.8 cm. Leaf blade elliptic to obovate, 9-35 by 3.5-6.5 cm, index (length/width) 3-5.4; rounded to obtuse. Flowers not much opening. Median sepal recurved with incurved top part, elliptic to (ob-)ovate, 13-19 by 8-11 mm, index 1.5-1.9; subacute to shortly acuminate, base narrowly attached. Lateral sepals free, with downwards (c. in the direction of the tip of the petals) curved top part, ovate-triangular to triangular, 15-23 by 7-12 mm, index 1.7-2.3; base widely attached; otherwise as the median sepal. Petals recurved with incurved top part, elliptic to (ob-)ovate, 13-17 by 6-9 mm, index 1.9-2.7; obtuse to acute, base rather narrowly attached. Lip somewhat recurved, triangular with a drawn-out, slightly widened top part, 6-8 by 2.5-5 mm, index 1.4-2.4 (all without artificial spreading); rounded, margins with an acute angle above the base when the lip is observed in lateral view; thick; adaxially concave near the base, with 2 short, inconspicuous, proximally diverging ridges at about 1/3 of the length of the lip, convex towards the tip; abaxially with a retuse ridge nearly up to the top of the lip, top part somewhat concave. Column 4.5-6 mm long, c. straight in profile, stigma without teeth at the base, column foot without ridges. Stelidia porrect, triangular, 1-2 mm long, obtuse to acute, slightly above half-way the length of the column with a porrect or somewhat antrorse, triangular, obtuse to acute tooth along the lower margin. (After Vermeulen, ms.)


Sepals greenish or pinkish, blackish purple towards the tip and margins, with blackish purple spots. Petals whitish or pinkish, with blackish purple spots. Lip red, blackish towards the tip, with a yellow patch on the upper and lower surface. Flowers only vaguely scented.

Epiphyte in lowland (gallery) forest; 0-400 m.

Malesia (New Guinea).

Papua New Guinea; see map

Distribution of Bulbophyllum tortum in New Guinea

Warm growing epiphyte.

February, May, July, October, December.

  • Schlechter, R., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 21 (1928) t. 246, fig. 936
  • O'Byrne, P., Lowland Orchid. Papua New Guinea (1994) 458, fig.
  • Family Orchidaceae
  • Subfamily Epidendroideae
  • Tribe Dendrobieae
  • Subtribe Bulbophyllinae
  • Genus Bulbophyllum
  • Section Sestochilos
  • Species Bulbophyllum tortum

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Bulbophyllum tortum

Overview picture of Bulbophyllum tortum Schltr.

Bulbophyllum tortum

Bulbophyllum tortum Schltr., flower, front view, with fruit flies, cult. and photo G. Stocker

Bulbophyllum tortum

Bulbophyllum tortum Schltr., flower, photo P. O'Byrne, based on O'Byrne B042

Bulbophyllum tortum

Bulbophyllum tortum Schltr., plant, photo details lost

Bulbophyllum tortum

Bulbophyllum tortum Schltr., floral analysis, R. Schlechter in Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 21 (1928) t. 246, fig. 936