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Bulbophyllum clandestinum Lindl.
| Family Name: | Orchidaceae |
| Synonyms: | Bulbophyllum sessile (Kuntze) J.J.Sm., Bulbophyllum teysmannii J.J.Sm., Bulbophyllum bolovenese Guillaumin, Bulbophyllum myrianthum Schltr., Bulbophyllum ovalifolium (Wight) E.C.Parish, Bulbophyllum profusum Ames, Bulbophyllum sparsifolium Schltr., Bulbophyllum trisetosum Griff., Bulbophyllum volkensii Schltr. |
| Common Name: | The Hidden Bulbophyllum |
The Hidden Bulbophyllum (Bulbophyllum clandestinum) is an epiphytic orchid characterised by its slender, hanging stems, which can reach up to 25 cm long. The solitary cream flowers of 3-5 cm long emerge along these stems. Found in evergreen lowland forests, it can be mounted on cork bark or tree fern and grows well in semi-shade with moderate watering.
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Epiphyte |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Irregular |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 25 cm |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Bangladesh, Andaman Islands, Nicobar Islands, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Borneo, Philippines, Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, Maluku, New Guinea, Bismarck Archipelago, Solomon Islands, Mariana Islands, Caroline Islands and Fiji |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Freshwater Swamp Forest) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Critically Endangered (CR)) |
| CITES Protection | True |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A sympodial epiphyte with a long, slender, pendulous rhizome (underground stem) and branching growth habit. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its fleshy leaves are about 2 cm long and 0.7 cm wide, with a blunt, notched tip (acute) and rounded base. |
| Stems | The pseudobulb (fleshy stem) is small, measuring 2.5-3 mm long. |
| Flowers | The flowers are solitary, borne from the nodes along the rhizomes. The sepals are about 4mm long and are creamy white with yellow tips. The petals are about 2mm long and are creamy white. The lip is small and is yellow-green in colour. |
| Habitat | It grows in lowland forests, often on trees in open places. |
| Cultivation | Plant can be mounted on tree fern bark or cork slabs, prefers indirect light or semi-shade condition. Avoid direct, strong sun exposure. Plant requires high humidity (ideally 70% or more) with constant air circulation to replicate forest habitat. Media must be consistently moist, with slight drying between waterings. Do not allow the plant to dry out completely. |
| Etymology | The genus bulbophyllum is derived from Greek bolbos which means bulb, and phyllon meaning leaf, and referring to the pseudo-bulbs which bear the leaves on top of it. The specific epithet clandestinum is from Latin meaning concealed or hidden. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It is suitable for parks and gardens, planted as an epiphyte on trees. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Form |
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Skyrise / Balcony |
| Thematic Landscaping | Naturalistic Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
|---|---|
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic (Explosive Dehiscence) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, [Remarks] (It is best grown under 70% shade. ) |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water, Occasional Misting |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Thick |
| Prominent Young Flush Colour(s) | Green |
| Young Flush Texture(s) | Leathery |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage |
| Foliar Venation | Parallel |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Rounded / Obtuse |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Root Type | Aboveground |
|---|
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White, Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Flower Grouping | Solitary |
| Flower Location | Axillary |
| Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
| Flower Size | 5 cm |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule |
References
| References | <1> Yam, T.W. (2015). Native orchids of Singapore - diversity, identification and conservation. National Parks Board. pp. 30. <2> Bulbophyllum clandestinum. Orchids of New Guinea. https://www.orchidsnewguinea.com/orchid-information/species/Bulbophyllum+clandestinum (Accessed 6 October 2026). |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31798 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6198 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
