Bulbophyllum spongiola J.J.Verm.1996 SECTION Polymeres Verm & O'Byrne 2008
Photos by © P Jongejan and the Orchids of New Guinea Website
Common Name The Spongy Lip Bulbophyllum
Flower Size .88" [2.2 cm]
Found in Papua New Guinea in lower montane forest at elevations around 2000 meters as a mini-miniature sized, cool to cold growing epiphyte with a patent to pendulous rhizome with .8 to 1.04" [2 to 2.6 cm] between each, ovoid to ellipsoid, not flattened pseudobulbcarrying a single, apical, erect, elliptic, acute, petiolate base leaf that blooms on a erect, peduncle .8 to 1" [2.0 to 2.5 cm] long, provided with 3, the longest .14 to .16" [3.5 to 4.0 mm], acute bracts, single flowered inflorescence with tubular, shortewr than the ovary floral bracts.
"— Differs from B. leptopus Schltr.M.A and B. plagiopetalum Schltr. by its very thick, spongy lip (hence the name), as well as by the wider, (almost) elliptic petals. The long stelidia and the structure of the lip are also reminiscent of B. tenuifolium (Blume) Lindl.; this species, however, has a creeping rhizome.
Synonyms
References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ; *Blumea 41:361, fig. 12 J J Vermeulen 1996 drawing fide
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