Bulbophyllum scaphiforme J.J.Vermuellen 2002 SECTION Hirtula Ridley 1908
Photo courtesy of Joseph Dougerty
Common Name The Boat Shaped Bulbophyllum
Flower Size .16" [4 mm]
Found in Thailand (Type), Vietnam and Yunnan province of China at elevations of 1100 to 1400 meters as a miniature sized, cool growing epiphyte with .6 to 1" [1.5 to 2.5 cm] between each, depressed pyramidal pseudobulbs carrying a single, apical, elliptic, subacute leaf that blooms in the spring and early summer on an erect to patent, peduncle 5.6 to 10" [14 to 25 cm] long, rhachis not thickened, 5.6 to 8.8" [14 to 22 cm] long, glabrous, elongated, rather lax, successively many, 23 to 33 flowered inflorescence with triangular, acute, shorter than the ovary floral bracts and bearing numerous small, dark and very hairy flowers with highly mobile labella.
The lip is decorated with two shiny green stripes, presumably as a means of mimicking the insect pollinator. The lip is pendulous and teardrop shaped, swinging freely in all directions below the spread petals. Grow it warm to hot.
"This species has been confused with Bulbophyllum nigrescens by Seidenfaden & Smitinand (1961), and Seidenfaden (1979). It is clearly distinct from this species in having a pouch-shaped (or boat-shaped) lip. The specific epithet refers to that character." J J Vermeulen 2002
References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ; Gard. Bull. Singapore 54: 141 J J Verm. 2002 drawing fide; Flora of China Vol 25 Zhengyi, Raven & Deyuan 2009; Flora of China Vol 25 Illustrations Zhengyi, Raven & Deyuan 2010 drawing fide
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