Name: Bulbophyllum retusiusculum Rchb.f.
Synonyms: Bulbophyllum oreonastes Rchb.f.; Cirrhopetalum retusiusculum (Rchb.f.) Hemsl.; Phyllorkis retusiuscula(Rchb.f.) Kuntze.
Etymology: retusiusculum is derived from the Latin retusus (dented/blunt) and refers to the shape of the petals or lip, which appear slightly notched or blunt at the tip.
First description: Described in 1862 by Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach in “The Gardeners' Chronicle.”
Origin / Distribution:
Widely distributed in Southeast Asia: from the eastern Himalayas through Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, and Vietnam to southern China and Taiwan.
Location / Habitat:
Epiphytic in montane deciduous and coniferous forests at elevations of 500 to 2,800 m. It often grows on mossy tree trunks in areas with pronounced rainy and dry seasons.
Description & Notes:
This species belongs to the section Cirrhopetalum and produces ovoid pseudobulbs on a creeping rhizome. The inflorescence is an umbel, with the flowers arranged in a fan shape. The lateral sepals are elongated and often fused together, creating the characteristic “Cirrhopetalum look.” The color palette ranges from yellow and orange to deep purple-red with darker stripes.

In cultivation, Bulbophyllum retusiusculum is quite adaptable. It prefers temperate conditions, bright, indirect light, and very good air circulation. During growth, the plant should be watered generously, but it needs a pronounced rest period in winter with reduced watering to induce flowering the following year. Due to its creeping growth habit, cultivation on a slab of bark or in shallow trays is recommended.