Bulbophyllum minutissimum: The World's Smallest Orchid

Everyone knows that orchids come in a myriad shapes and sizes, but this little fellow is in the running for the smallest of them all. Bulbophyllum minutissimum, given the rather unflattering common name “Squat Moss Orchid” by some, is native to the monsoonal forests of eastern Australia where it slowly expands over trees or rocks, often near watercourses.

In cultivation, its lentil-sized pseudobulbs are best appreciated on a cork mounts; no pots for this one. Bright shade and moderate humidity suit it well. With luck, spring will bring tiny flowers—quite in scale with the rest of the plant, but keep a magnifying glass handy.

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