Bulbophyllum Thouars

Orchidaceae, V. S. Summerhayes. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1968

Morphology General Habit

Epiphytic or lithophytic sympodial herbs; rhizome short or long and creeping, often branched, slender to quite stout

Vegetative Multiplication Pseudobulbs

Pseudobulbs 1-noded, clustered or distant, stem-like or more often swollen, ± angled in cross-section, arising from rhizome at intervals, 1–2-leaved (rarely more) at the apex

Morphology Leaves

Leaves mostly coriaceous or fleshy or rarely thin-textured, small to large

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences arising from base of pseudobulb or rarely from node on rhizome, 1–many-flowered, racemose or rarely umbellate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers ± fleshy, often not opening widely, mostly small in African species, white, cream or green to orange and purple

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Dorsal sepal subequal and less commonly much shorter than lateral sepals; lateral sepals free or rarely adnate, united at base to column-foot to form a ± prominent mentum

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals mostly much smaller than sepals

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Labellum

Lip often much smaller than sepals, hinged to end of column-foot, often highly mobile, often fleshy, ligulate and curved, mostly entire

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Column

Column short, often winged and with apical stelidia; anther small, 2-chambered, with 4 pollinia in pairs; column-foot mostly incurved, united to base of lateral sepals.

Orchidaceae, I. la Croix & P.J. Cribb. Flora Zambesiaca 11:1. 1995

Morphology General Habit

Dwarf epiphytic herb.

Vegetative Multiplication Pseudobulbs

Pseudobulbs small, spaced out along a slender creeping rhizome, 6–12-leaved.

Morphology Leaves

Leaves needle-like.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers small, resupinate.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Pollinia

Pollinia 2.

Orchidaceae, V. S. Summerhayes. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1968

Morphology General Habit

Creeping epiphytic herbs

Vegetative Multiplication Pseudobulbs

Pseudobulbs small, heteroblastic, borne at intervals on a slender rhizome, several-leaved

Morphology Leaves

Leaves small, linear, like pine-needles

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Scape

Scape emerging from the base of the pseudobulb, 1–2-flowered

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers resupinate, small

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Sepals free; laterals oblique, forming a distinct mentum with the column-foot

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals smaller than the sepals

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Labellum

Lip mobile, simple, lacking a callus, column erect, narrowly winged, with very short triangular apical stelidia; foot distinctly incurved; anther ovoid, retuse in front; pollinia 2, compressed, lacking appendages; stigmatic cavity quadrate.

Orchidaceae, V. S. Summerhayes. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1968

Morphology General Habit

Small epiphytic herbs with an elongated creeping rhizome bearing well-spaced pseudobulbs

Vegetative Multiplication Pseudobulbs

Pseudobulbs ovoid-oblong, sometimes 4-angled, bearing 1–2 leaves at the apex and slender filiform roots at the base

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence slender, arising from below the base of the mature pseudobulb and overtopping it; bracts spreading

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers usually few, in a lax raceme, white, mauve or pale green, not resupinate

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Calyx

Dorsal sepal ovate-oblong; lateral sepals larger and fused at the base to form a mentum enclosing the column-foot

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Corolla

Petals free, much smaller than the sepals or 0

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Labellum

Lip free, 3-lobed, smaller than the sepals

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Column

Column short, erect or curved, sometimes winged or bearing two minute stelidia at its apex, extending into a foot at its base; androclinium sloping; anther operculate, with the apex produced into a beak; pollinia 2 or 4; waxy, with a very short linear stipe, and oblong or transversely rounded viscidium; stigmatic cavity transverse, rounded or oval and hollowed; rostellum tongue-shaped or triangular, porrect or directed downwards parallel to the column

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Gynoecium Ovary

Ovary straight, very short.