Bulbophyllum Thouars
Histoire Particulière des Plantes Orchidées t. esp. 3 sub u. 1822. {Hist. Orchid.} (nom. et typ.cons.)

Introduction: There are more than 1,000 species in this genus which extends from South America, Africa to Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Some 500-600 species in 44 sections are thought to exist in New Guinea alone and a further 170 species in Malaysia. B. cruentum Garay, Hamer, Siegerist, B. bandischii Garay, Hamer, Siegerist, B. howcroftii Garay, Hamer, Siegerist, B. emiliorum Howcroft and several others, yet to be published species, are some of the most recently described species from Papua New Guinea.

See Contributions from other authors for more details or complete list of photos and drawings

Derivation of genus name: The name was coined by Luis Thouars in 1822 from the Greek bulbos (bulb) and phyllon (leaf).

Type species: Bulbophyllum nudum Thouars (protologue F50-2287)

Characteristics of genus: Plant habits and flowers have a great diversity. All are evergreen epiphytes with creeping rhizomes which may or may not branch freely. Each pseudobulb bears a solitary, terminal leaf. Shape of both pseudobulbs and leaves vary greatly in shape. The single feature of major significance is that the inflorescence always arises from the base of a pseudobulb or from nodes on the rhizome. Flowers may or may not be fragrant and the fragrance can be pleasant or downright repulsive.

Number of sections and/or subsections in genus: 44

Number of species in New Guinea: approximately 500

Habitat: These epiphytic or lithophytic herbs are found from the tropical lowlands to the most forests of the alpine zone, growing on trees or rocky outcrops. Bulbophyllums are easy to cultivate on tree fern or hardwood. They require copious amounts of water and a high level of humidity throughout the year.

PHOTOS & DRAWINGS

See also species photos of the related genera
Codonosiphon | Hapalochilus | Pedilochilus
Podochilus | Saccoglossum | Tapeinoglossum