Bulbophyllum scaberulum

[Orchid killer]

There are roughly only 70 species of bulbophyllums in Africa, they are not showy and gregarious as their South East Asian cousins, but are interesting on closer examination. I like to think of them as more refined and classy. Others have told they are “bloody boring”. Although I have to admit the flowers are rather small and inconspicuous though.
This group of “boring bulbos” falls into the section Megaclimium and is particularly distinctive by the unusual rachis which is usually swollen, flat and colour deep purple or orange with the flowers arising on either side of the rachis.
Members of this section Megaclimium are only confined to Africa.
Both the rhachis and flowers in Bulbo scaberulum are a deeper purple colour which does quite come out in the photos though.
I have seem very large specimens of Bulbo scaberulum and Bulbo maximum growing in their natural habitat. Boring or not, please enjoy it because the sadly habitat in which these marvellous plants live is disappearing FAST.

[WhiteRabbit]

Awesome!

[debrasoon]

Interesting
I bought a noid one allegedly from africa too n hope it blooms

[Lingcod]

I love this section of plants and wish I could find more species in the USA. It is a little hard to explain them at orchid shows to folks that do not understand Bulbos. Plus some really put on a show when they reach critical mass.

[smweaver]

That's pretty fascinating, Owen. And what a great shame that the habitat is disappearing. There are far too many humans on our little world.

[Nepenthesguy]

Love that rachis and blooms! Is it fragrant?

- I'll have to add B. scaberulum to my list (already have B. purpureorachis and B. maximum )

---------- Post added at 05:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:36 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Lingcod

I love this section of plants and wish I could find more species in the USA. It is a little hard to explain them at orchid shows to folks that do not understand Bulbos. Plus some really put on a show when they reach critical mass.

Bulbo's are becoming more accessible but they are not always cheap, your best bet is talking with other collectors if your looking for a rare species

[NeofinetiaCanada2014]

Love these types that line up like little spiders on the racemes!


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[No-Pro-mwa]

Very different. Very sad about the environment.

[Tindomul]

These are similar to the section Careyana. I like these as well. THanks for sharing. Great info on Identifying them.

[Orchid killer]

As far as I am aware (but subject to correction) section Careyana does not have a swollen rachid but clustered flowers packed around the rachis.
I am of the opinion that the swollen rachis of Megaclimium is only found in Africa, where as section Careyana is found in the Indian sub continent.
Sorry, I'm not a taxonomist so I stand to be corrected ... but pleased to know that you are interested in our lesser known plants of the orchid world.