Bulbophyllum mandibulare Rchb.f. 1882 is a small sized, epiphytic growing orchid species, native to Sabah, the easternmost state of Malaysia, located on the northern part of the island of Borneo (Kalimantan).
The name mandibulare, refers to the mandible, the strongest bone in the human body. As flowers of Bulbophyllum mandibulare open mostly not more than showed on our image, the botanical name has been given, as the U-form of the flower is reminescent of a jawbone (mandible) or chin. The long-lasting flowers reach a length of about 10 cm and are born on an erect to arching inflorescence, which gets a length of about 20 cm. Flowers open successively. The tropical orchid requires a warm to hot, humid climate, a shady location and a good air movement to avoid fungal infections. Bulbophyllum mandibulare orchids are protected by
CITES Appendix II (trade controlled to avoid use incompatible with species survival).
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Image: Bulbophyllum mandibulare Rchb.f. 1882
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