Kingdom Plantae Family Orchidaceae Genus Bulbophyllum Higher classification Bulbophyllum | Order Asparagales Subfamily Epidendroideae Scientific name Bulbophyllum kupense Rank Species | |
Similar Bulbophyllum, Orchids, Oncophyllum globuliforme | ||
Bulbophyllum kupense is a species of plant in the Orchidaceae family. It is endemic to Cameroon, where its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests; and where it is threatened by habitat loss. It was botanically described in 2004.
The knowledge of the existence of B. kupense is learned only by a singular epiphyte on one small, cultivated mango tree (Mangifera indica), in a private garden in Nyasoso (at elev. 830 m), Mount Kupe. It is the only one ever recorded, and it is still living. However, it is highly probable that this is not the only example of this species, which likely occurs somewhere in the forests on and around Mount Kupe.
The collector of this plant (only a small portion of the plant was removed), B.J.Pollard, had observed in 2002 that the garden, which surrounds the plant's host (or its phorophyte), has been fenced, affording it better-than-nothing protection.
A plan by the interested parties (Pollard, P.J.Cribb and others) to propagate B. kupense is now underway, using that portion which was originally collected in 2000.