Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Asparagales Link
Family
Orchidaceae Juss.
Genus
Bulbophyllum Thouars
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Bulbophyllum pygmaeum (Sm.) Lindl. (1830)
Synonymy:
  • ≡ Dendrobium pygmaeum Sm. (1808)
  • ≡ Ichthyostomum pygmaeum (Sm.) D.L.Jones, M.A.Clem. & Molloy, 13: 499 (2002)
  • = Bulbophyllum ichthyostomum Colenso, Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 26: 319 (1893 [1894])
Vernacular Name(s):
piripiri
 Description

Plant forming a spreading mat up to 10 cm. or more diam. Rhizomes threadlike, firmly fixed to substratum by ∞ roots of similar size; pseudobulbs c. 3–5 mm. diam., globose, rugose, becoming much wrinkled with age; lf arising from the top within a slightly prominent circular rim. Lf-lamina c. 4–10 × 2–4 mm., oblong-ovate to almost orbicular, obtuse, minutely scabrid adaxially, prominently keeled abaxially; petiole us. very short, sts = ½ lf-length. Fl. solitary; peduncle from base of pseudobulb, c. 2.5 mm. long at fl., elongating later; floral bract whitish, membr., campanulate; pedicel and ovary hairy. Per. 1.5–2 mm. long, white. Sepals minutely hairy, dorsal shorter than laterals. Petals broad, almost meeting behind column. Labellum ovate-oblong, obtuse, ± thickened, roofing over pouch formed by lateral sepals and column-foot. Column barely as long as its foot; wing not exceeding anther.

[From: Moore and Edgar (1970) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 2 as Bulbophyllum pygmaeum (Sm.) Lindl.]

 Biostatus
Indigenous (Endemic)
 Bibliography
Clements, M.A.; Jones, D.L. 2002: Nomenclatural changes in the Australian and New Zealand Bulbophyllinae and Eriinae (Orchidaceae). The Orchadian 13(11): 498–501.
Colenso, W. 1894: Phænogams: A description of some newly-discovered Indigenous plants; being a further contribution towards the making known the botany of New Zealand. Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute 26: 313–320.
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Barkla J.W.; Courtney, S.P.; Champion, P.D.; Perrie, L.R.; Beadel, S.N.; Ford, K.A.; Breitwieser, I.; Schönberger, I.; Hindmarsh-Walls, R.; Heenan, P.B.; Ladley, K. 2018: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2017. New Zealand Threat Classification Series. No. 22. [Not Threatened]
de Lange, P.J.; Rolfe, J.R.; Champion, P.D.; Courtney, S.P.; Heenan, P.B.; Barkla, J.W.; Cameron, E.K.; Norton, D.A.; Hitchmough, R.A. 2013: Conservation status of New Zealand indigenous vascular plants, 2012. New Zealand Threat Classification Series 3. Department of Conservation, Wellington. [Not Threatened]
Garnock-Jones, P.J. 2014: Evidence-based review of the taxonomic status of New Zealand’s endemic seed plant genera. New Zealand Journal of Botany 52(2): 163–212.