Bulbophyllum phalaenopsis J.J.Sm.

Bulbophyllum phalaenopsis J.J.Sm., Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg ser. III, xiv. 165 (1937).

Bulbophyllum phalaenopsis J.J.Sm., Photo by YL Chong

Family:

Orchidaceae.

Synonym Name: 

Bulbophyllum giganteum Hort., Amer. Orchid Soc. Awards Quart. 2 (1971) 16 (nom. nud.)

- Type: Spies cult. s.n. (Papua New Guinea, near Bulolo) (holo AMES)

English Name:

Phalaenopsis gigantea-like Bulbophyllum (refers to the leaves not the flowers).

Description: 

The inflorescence, or flower head, consists of a cluster of about 15 to 20 reddish-brown (meat-colored) flowers covered with fleshy projections called papillae that are said to resemble wriggling maggots." The bloom emits a stench similar to rotting flesh. The appearance and odor of the orchid's bloom attract carrion flies for pollination.

Distribution:

New Guinea.

Ecological:

Epiphyte in lowland forest. At elevations below 550 m.

Flowering times:

Blooms in the spring.

Flower size:

6 cm.

Cultivation:

LIGHT/LOCATION: shady

TEMPERATURE: warm (20 - 24 °C

WATERING: Pour every 7 days

FERTILIZATION: once a month

Type:

Bogor cult. (Schmidt) 29-XI-108 (holo L; also spirit 3031)

Ref:

orchidspecies.com

ipni.org

powo.science.kew.org

orchidsnewguinea.com

orchideen-wichmann.de