Bulbophyllum balaeniceps Rchb.f. 1863 SECTION Balaenoidea Pfitz 1888

TYPE for the section

Drawing © by Reichenbach and The Swiss Orchid Foundation at the Jany Renz Herbaria WebSite

Common Name The Whale's Head Bulbophyllum

Flower Size 2” [5 cm] long

Found in India and Sri Lanka in montane forests at elevations around 2260 meters as a mini-miniature sized, cold growing epiphyte with single leaved pseudobulbs carrying a persistent, oval, acute leaf that blooms on a 1 to 2 flowered inflorescence.

For many years this species has been thought to be a synonym of B napelli from Brazil mostly because on the same page Reichenbcah has a drawing of a B regnellii, a Brazilian species. Reichenbach states that he was not aware of the provenance of the species. Further research over the years has led to the conclusion that this species comes from India and Sri Lanka but is little known.

Synonyms

References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ; Orchidiana Philipiniana Vol 1 Valmayor 1984; Genera Orchidacearum Vol 6 Epidendroideae Pt 3 Pridgeon, Cribb Chase & Ramussen 2014

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