Bulbophyllum tremulum Wight 1844-53 SECTION Ptiloglossum Lindl. 1862
Photo by © Antoine Lelirzin and courtesy of R Hromniack and Sieder and their Bulbophyllum, A to Z Webpage
Common Name The Tremulous Bulbophyllum
Flower Size 1" [2.5 cm]
Found in India at elevations around 800 to 1000 meters as a mini-miniature, unifoliate, warm growing epiphyte with .48 to 1.2" [1.2 to 3 cm] between each, close to distant, small, ovoid to low-conical, surface somewhat corrugated pseudobulbs and a carrying a single, apical, ovate, obtuse, petiolate base leaf that blooms in the spring and summer on a basal, often more than one, peduncle erect to patent, 2 to 3.6" [5 to 9 cm] long, provided with 3 to 4 bracts, rachis erect to arching, not thickened, .8 to 2.8" [2 to 7 cm] long, elongated, lax, 2.8 to 10.4" [7 to 26 cm] long overall, successively many, 9 to 13 flowered inflorescence with triangular, acute, shorter than the ovary floral bracts that holds the secund, wide opening flowers above the leaves.
This species requires ample moisture, partial shade and good air circulation.
This species and B saltatorium are quite similar, but the main differentiation is the elliptic-ovate, ciliate petals of this species versus the linear, glabrous petals of B saltatorium.
Synonyms Phyllorchis tremula (Wight) Kuntze 1891
References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ; Orchids of Nilgiris Joseph 1987 drawing good; Bulbophyllums and Their Allies Seigerist 2001; Gard. Bull. Singapore 54: 140 J J Verm. 2002 drawing/photo fide; Orchids of India A Glimpse Misra 2007
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