Bulbophyllum odoratissimum

Bulbophyllum odoratissimum (J. E. Smith) Lindl.

Bulbophyllum odoratissimum, Photo by Yosuke Oda

1S30, Gen. Sp. Orchid. PL: 55; Seidenf., 1992, Opera Bot. 114: 297: P. H. Ho, 1993, 111. Fl. Vietnam 3, 2: 1108, f. 10257; Aver., 1994, Ident. Guide Vietnam. Orch.: 266: Aver. & Averyanova, 2003, Updated Checkl. Orch. Vietnam: 16.

Synonyms.

Stelis odoratissima J.E. Smith, 1814, Rees, Cyclop. 34, no. 12.

Studied collections. 

9 April 2003. P.K.Loc. CPXP10.

Description. 

Epiphyte with long creeping rigid woody rhizome 1—2 nun thick and erect, cylindric l-leaved pseudobulbs 2—3.5 by 0.5—0.7 cm. Leaves shortly petiolate, oblong-elliptic to oblong-lanceolate, emarginate at apex, 5—7 by 1—1.5 cm. Inflorescence 1—2, appear from the base of pseudobulb, 4—8 cm long. Flowers sweetly fragrant, 5—7 mm across. Sepals and petals white, sometimes light yellowish with yellow-orange tips, spreading. Sepals sub-similar, 5—7 by 1.5—2 mm, with broad ovate base, acuminate, with obtuse thickened tips. Petals ovate, obtuse, 1—1.5 by 0.5—0.7 mm. Lip orange, fleshy, simple, oblong-lanceolate, glandular pubescent, 1.5—1.8 by 0.5—0.7 mm. Column 0.4—0.7 mm tall with short stelidia and small column foot. Plate 3 fio).

Flowering time. 

May-June.

Geographic range. 

Bhutan, Nepal, NE. India, Myanmar, S. China, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam. Notes. A widespread, common epiphytic species usually growing in canopies of large trees. Easily overlooked in botanical studies and collecting.

References:

Leonid V. Averyanov, Nguyen Tien Hiep, Phan Ke Loc, The orchids Of Cuc Phuong National Park Illustrated guide, ISBN: 9781626751514