"The Puppetmaster" - an apropos nickname, don't you think? This is Bulbophyllum macrorhopalon Schltr., from section Epicrianthes. #nature is my #garden with all the #amazing #tropical #orchids, #plants and #flowers of Papua New Guinea!

A likely undescribed Bulbophyllum species from section Brachypus just bloomed again in my garden for the first time in about 15 years. I've had it for longer than that, but I nearly killed it a few times. I finally figured it out, and it's growing well again — which is incredibly fortunate, as I've not seen another plant like it! The flowers of this species are visually very similar to those of B. cerinum and B. katjae, but differ in their significantly larger size. It is also unique within the section in having an arched lower side of the column. While the plants are also similar in habit to those in section Lepidorhiza (smaller in overall size), the inflorescences carry only a single flower. This is another section of Bulbophyllum in which nearly all of the 21 known species are native to New Guinea (20 of them). [video] ° ° #nature is my #garden with all the #amazing #tropical #orchids, #plants and #flowers of Papua New Guinea! 🌺🌿🇵🇬

A likely undescribed Bulbophyllum species from section Brachypus just bloomed again in my garden for the first time in about 15 years. I've had it for longer than that, but I nearly killed it a few times. I finally figured it out, and it's growing well again — which is incredibly fortunate, as I've not seen another plant like it! The flowers of this species are visually very similar to those of B. cerinum and B. katjae, but differ in their significantly larger size. It is also unique within the section in having an arched lower side of the column. While the plants are also similar in habit to those in section Lepidorhiza (smaller in overall size), the inflorescences carry only a single flower. This is another section of Bulbophyllum in which nearly all of the 21 known species are native to New Guinea (20 of them). ° ° #nature is my #garden with all the #amazing #tropical #orchids, #plants and #flowers of Papua New Guinea! 🌺🌿🇵🇬

Another fascinating Glomera species from section Uniflorae. These endemic pendant-growing epiphytes are found in the mid-montane forests of New Guinea (c. 1600–1900 m). The plants can become quite large due to their relatively fast growth, with stems that seem to grow continuously. Typical of most species in this section are the non-resupinate white flowers, which can bloom simultaneously on stem branches of different ages and lengths. The flowers last 6–7 days and have the same beautiful fragrance as others in this section—though a bit more subtle. It reminds me of Prosthechea fragrans, which I used to grow in Colombia. [video] Some interesting notes: ~ In New Guinea, Glomera species are among the most prevalent orchids in the montane forests. ~ Glomera species are quite difficult to identify using available documentation, as some with completely different growth habits have almost identical flowers. ~ Section Uniflorae of Glomera contains about 70 known species in New Guinea alone. ° ° #nature is my #garden with all the #amazing #tropical #orchids, #plants and #flowers of Papua New Guinea! 🌺🌿🇵🇬

Another fascinating Glomera species from section Uniflorae. These endemic pendant-growing epiphytes are found in the mid-montane forests of New Guinea (c. 1600–1900 m). The plants can become quite large due to their relatively fast growth, with stems that seem to grow continuously. Typical of most species in this section are the non-resupinate white flowers, which can bloom simultaneously on stem branches of different ages and lengths. The flowers last 6–7 days and have the same beautiful fragrance as others in this section—though a bit more subtle. It reminds me of Prosthechea fragrans, which I used to grow in Colombia. Some interesting notes: ~ In New Guinea, Glomera species are among the most prevalent orchids in the montane forests. ~ Glomera species are quite difficult to identify using available documentation, as some with completely different growth habits have almost identical flowers. ~ Section Uniflorae of Glomera contains about 70 known species in New Guinea alone. ° ° #nature is my #garden with all the #amazing #tropical #orchids, #plants and #flowers of Papua New Guinea! 🌺🌿🇵🇬

Bulbophyllum ankylorhinon J.J.Verm., from section Pelma, is an intermediate-growing endemic epiphyte found in the mid-montane forests of New Guinea (1,740–2,100 m). This is another of the more massive plants in the section, with thick, fairly rigid, continuously branching rhizomes that can grow to well over 1 m in length. While they initially grow erect, the plants eventually fall under their own considerable weight. Tightly wrapped reddish-tan rhizome bracts add colour and character to an already spectacular plant. The flowers, which are quite large for the section, last 6–7 days and have a peculiar fragrance — I’m not sure whether it’s pleasant or not. Macro shots of the lip and petals reveal microscopic wonders! [video] ° ° #nature is my #garden with all the #amazing #tropical #orchids, #plants and #flowers of Papua New Guinea! 🌺🌿🇵🇬

~ My absolute favourite Glomera species ~ A likely candidate for this plant is Glomera glomeroides (Schltr.) J.J.Sm., from section Uniflorae. This amazing epiphyte is found growing in the lower montane forests of New Guinea (1,000–1,900 m). Some wonderful features of this small, bushy plant are its fleshy, succulent-like leaves and relatively brittle stems that branch continuously. It can flower simultaneously on branches of different ages and lengths. And then there’s the lip — it’s quite startling really. That deep green colouring with a red dot at the apex is spectacular. The flowers, which last about a week, are quite small, making the lip a bit difficult to see with the naked eye. [video] Some interesting notes: ~ In New Guinea, Glomera species are some of the most prevalent of all orchids to be found in the montane forests. ~ Glomera species are quite hard to identify from available documentation due to the fact that some with completely different plant habits have almost identical flowers. ° ° #nature is my #garden with all the #amazing #tropical #orchids, #plants and #flowers of Papua New Guinea! 🌺🌿🇵🇬

Spathoglottis plicata Blume is a prolific and highly variable terrestrial orchid that grows in both lowland and highland grasslands. It is widespread from Southeast Asia through Malesia to the Pacific Islands (0–2970 m). It is also common here in New Guinea, but is usually found in wide open fields of kunai*. These plants are generally free-flowering throughout the year, which is very nice. An interesting feature of the flower’s lip is the pubescence at the base of the bilobed callus. Sadly, the flowers of my clone (the only one I have) are nearly always cleistogamous, so when one does open, it’s pretty special!  [video] *Kunai grass (a local name for Imperata cylindrica) is common here in the highlands of Papua New Guinea and used extensively for thatched roofs. ° ° #nature is my #garden with all the #amazing #tropical #orchids, #plants and #flowers of Papua New Guinea! 🌺🌿🇵🇬

Not an orchid, but rather one of several Tephrosia species (Fabaceae) found in this area of the New Guinea Highlands (c. 1600 masl). Commonly known as a hoary pea, this species has notably near-blue flowers that are visually very similar to those of the Shamrock Pea (Parochetus communis). While most local species in the genus grow only in full sun, this largest of them prefers mostly shaded positions and blooms much less frequently throughout the year. ° ° #nature is my #garden with all the #amazing #tropical #orchids, #plants and #flowers of Papua New Guinea! 🌺🌿🇵🇬

Liparis spectabilis Schltr., from section Cestichis, is an endemic epiphyte primarily found growing in montane forests, but also (less frequently) terrestrial in New Guinea (1,000–2,300 m). This is a plant with very vibrant flower colours that immediately catch the eye in the dull undergrowth. Insects find the flowers irresistible, even though I cannot detect any scent at all. The lateral margins of the lip are slightly hairy, although this feature is mostly invisible to the naked eye. Interesting note: Schlechter described L. spectabilis as most closely related to L. latifolia (which ranges from SE Asia through Indonesia to the Philippines), but noted that it differs most notably in plant habit. Although POWO (Kew) does not recognise L. latifolia as occurring in New Guinea, Comber included New Guinea in its range in his Orchids of Java. [video] ° ° #nature is my #garden with all the #amazing #tropical #orchids, #plants and #flowers of Papua New Guinea! 🌺🌿🇵🇬