200.jpg)
Species Orchid Society of
Western Australia (Inc)
The Genus Dendrobium By Ken Jones
The genus was originally identified and
named by Olaf Swartz in 1799; however there were two earlier names Ceraia
Lour. and Callista Lour. Therefore, the genus name Dendrobium
is a conserved name as it has replaced the earlier names. The type
species is Dendrobium moniliforme (L.) Sw. from Japan, Korea, China
and Taiwan, originally described by Linnaeus in 1753 as Epidendrum
moniliforme. The root of the genus name Dendrobium is dendro
= tree and bios = life. The species in this genus are generally light
loving, and in many instances, grow either high in the forest canopy or
in relatively unprotected locations where they are exposed to high light.
Dendrobium and its relatives can be found from India and Sri Lanka
to Tahiti, from Japan and Korea to Stewart Island (South if the South
Island on New Zealand). The majority of orchids in the genus Dendrobium
are epiphytic; however there are some members that are lithophytic or
terrestrial. They range in size from miniature to very large (up to 5m
tall), grow in climatic conditions from semi-desert to hot wet rainforest,
from sea level to 3,800 m in the high central mountain ranges of Papua
New Guinea. They can be found on fringing coral beaches, primary tall
rainforest, mangrove forests, in cultivated rubber and coconut plantations,
roadside cuttings, rocky cliff faces and rocky outcrops, stunted coastal
scrubland, paperbarks in swampy forests and city trees. These incredible
orchids are highly adaptable, are an important commercial product and
for many of us, were our first experience of orchids when we were given
a flower arrangement containing 'Singapore orchids'.
Dendrobieae is in the subfamily Epidendroideae of the family
Orchidaceae. The subtribe, Dendrobiinae contains the species
that we know as Dendrobium, while the other sub-tribe Bulbophyllinae,
the Bulbophyllum. This classification, proposed by Dressler 1993
has been used as the basis for this article.
Dendrobium contains about 1000 species, although this varies as
taxonomists discover and identify new species, or revisit past identification
and reduce species to synonymy. Baker and Baker (1996) found over 2400
valid names for Dendrobium species.
The genus Dendrobium is divided into six (6) main sections: Callista,
Dendrobium, Formosae, Latouria, Phalaenanthe, and Spatulata. Schlechter
(1982) classified Dendrobium into 41 sections, however for simplicity
this article will focus on the foregoing higher level Sections and some
of the more common members of each; identify their specific characteristics,
habitat, cultural requirements and the relative ease or challenges to
grow and flower them.
While now relatively common in cultivation, and in literally thousands
of hybrids, Dendrobium orchids are increasingly becoming threatened
in the wild as habitat is destroyed for farming and plantation purposes,
logging (both legal and illegal) and population expansion. Many members
of this genus come from highly populated regions of mainland and island
Asia where the need to house citizens imposes heavily on governments.
Currently, 31 (thirty one) species are listed as threatened on the ICUN
redlist, with three species Dendrobium huoshanense, Dendrobium officinale,
and Dendrobium schutzei shown as critically endangered. Another
8 (eight) are listed as endangered.
Section Callista
Approximately ten (10) species are described in section Callista. However,
as earlier noted, there are many synonyms for the species in this section,
one of most popular in cultivation in the genus due to their showy flowers.
In this section, we find:
* Dendrobium chrysotoxum
* Dendrobium densiflorum
* Dendrobium farmeri
* Dendrobium harveyanum
* Dendrobium jenkinsi
* Dendrobium lindleyi
* Dendrobium palpebrae
* Dendrobium sulcatum, and
* Dendrobium thyrsiflorum.
Dendrobium chrysotoxum Lindley 1847 (SECTION Densiflora)
is a smaller-sized, cool to warm growing epiphyte on generally deciduous
trees that lose much of their canopy
during winter. This species comes from Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam,
China, Himalayas, Bangladesh and India at moderate elevations 400-1,600m.
Its common name in Thailand is the Golden Bow orchid. It has clustered,
grooved, clavate or fusiform, up to 30 cm, many angled, apically thickened
pseudobulbs that can be enveloped by many white, membraneous sheaths (a
common feature of many members of the genus) with 2 to 3 oblong to lanceolate,
coriaceous, acute leaves.
Flowering takes place in winter through spring with an up to 30cm inflorescence that arises from nodes near the apex of the pseudobulb. It is lax (loose, not tightly clustered) and pendulous. The flowers are short-lived, but highly fragrant, with the fragrance said to be honey-like.
Photo
source:
Synonyms in use for this species are Callista chrysotoxa (Lindl.)
Brieger 1981; Callista chrysotoxa (Lindl.) Kuntze 1891; Callista
suavissima Kuntze 1891; Dendrobium chrysotoxum var. suavissimum
(Rchb.f.) A.H.Kent 1888; Dendrobium suavissimum Rchb.f 1874
Dendrobium densiflorum Lindl. ex Wall. 1829, (SECTION Densiflora)
is the type species for this SECTION and is commonly named the densely-flowered
Dendrobium is found in Assam, Bangladesh, eastern Himalayas, Nepal,
Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Tibet, Hainan and southern China. It
is a small to medium sized, cool growing epiphyte or occasional lithophyte
on moss covered trunks or branches at altitudes 1,100 to 1,800m. Its habitat
has distinct seasonal variation between the hot, wet and humid summer
and the cooler, drier winter. Vegetatively similar to Dendrobium chrysotoxum,
it has erect, tufted, 7 to 12 noded, obscurely 4 angled, fusiform or clavate,
30 cm long stems with each node half covered by a white sheath and carrying
3 to 5, towards the apex, elliptic or ovate, persistent, acute leaves.
This species blooms from the late winter through spring with pendant,
20 cm, cylindrical, densely flowered racemes with scented, short-lived
flowers arising from nodes at or near the apex of the pseudobulb. The
in-situ photo on the following page clearly demonstrates the tight-bunched
flower raceme that is typical of this species.
Photo
source:
Synonyms in use for this species are Callista densiflora (Lindl.
ex Wall.) Kuntze 1891; Callista densiflora (Wall.) Brieger 1981;
Dendrobium clavatum Wall. 1828; Dendrobium densiflorum f.
parviflorum Regel 1874; Dendrobium schroederi Dombrain 1870;
Endeisa flava Raf. 1837; Epidendrum dumunsuttu Buch.-Ham.
ex Lindl. 1830
Dendrobium farmeri Paxton 1849 (SECTION Densiflora) is perhaps
the best known and most frequently present in orchid collections. Found
in the eastern Himalayas, Assam, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Malaysia
as an epiphyte in evergreen lowland forests and primary montane forests
at 150 to 1,000 meters, its common name is Farmer's Dendrobium
(named after the English Supervisor of the Calcutta Botanical Garden in
the 1800's), this pendulous, hot to warm growing epiphyte has clavate
or fusiform, 4 angled above stems carrying 2 to 4, towards the apex, coriaceous,
ovate-lanceolate, acute or acuminate leaves.
Flowering
occurs in spring on 20cm, pendent, many densely flowered, cylindrical
racemose inflorescences that arise from the nodes near the apex of leafless
and leafed canes.
Unfortunately, the flowers are short-lived, lasting for only a week or so. Photo source:
Its habitat consists primarily of primary forest tall trees, often adjacent to waterways and streams. This species prefers some shading, and the climate features frequent heavy summer rainfall with a dry, cooler winter. White, pink and white and yellow flower colour forms are known.
Dendrobium farmeri is very similar to Dendrobium palpebrae
that can be found in the same habitats. Lavarack et al (2000) say that
the two species can be distinguished by the violet tinge to the flowers
of Dendrobium farmeri that is not present in Dendrobium palpebrae.
Synonyms in use for this species are Callista densiflora (Lindl.
ex Wall.) Kuntze var farmeri 1891; Callista farmeri (Paxton)
Kuntze 1891; Dendrobium densiflorum var. farmeri (Paxton)
Regel 1874; Dendrobium farmeri var. albiflorum C.Morren 1860; Dendrobium
farmeri var. aureoflavum Hook.f. 1864
Dendrobium harveyanum Rchb.f. 1883 (SECTION Densiflora)
is rare in collections, and is found in Yunnan province in China, and
Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. This rare species is a small sized, cool
growing epiphyte on tree trunks and large branches at 1,100 - 1,700m.
Commonly known as Harvey's Dendrobium, an Irish orchid enthusiast
from the 1800's who was first to flower species, it is also known in China
as Su Ban Shi Hu, and in Thailand as Ueang Kham Foi. It has erect, spindle-shaped,
deeply sulcate stems with several apical, deciduous, ovate-oblong, leathery
leaves. Flowering in late winter-early spring, it has a pendant, 15cm
few to several flowered, racemose, lax inflorescence that arises from
the nodes near the apex of older leafless canes with two-nine, fragrant
honey-scented flowers. The distinctive golden-yellow flowers have long
filaments edging the petals, while the round lip is fringed and densely
pubescent (covered with fine hairs)
Marni Turkel has a page dedicated to this species in which she reports
on the difficulty she experienced in successfully growing and flowering
this species. Her comments on Dendrobium harveyanum at LINK
are informative and thought-provoking. Marni
says that for many years she struggled to grow and flower Dendrobium
harveyanum.
Her research into its habitat showed that it came from a classic monsoon
climate with heavy rainfall and cloudy skies in spring and summer. Autumn
and winter have little or no rainfall, with bright light and warm days
and cool nights. By the end of winter, humidity is low, and it is likely
that the orchids receive little if any moisture, even from dew.
She goes on to say that originally she grew the species with year-round
moisture. Her plant was a small, struggling specimen with few roots and
almost no flowers. With nothing to lose, several years ago she decided
to adopt a grow-or-die attitude and began giving it a prolonged dry rest
in winter. It was as if she had a different plant: strong growths, lots
of active roots and flower spikes every year. Synonyms in use for this
species are Callista harveyana (Rchb. f.) Kuntze 1891 Dendrobium
jenkinsii Wallich ex Lindley 1839 (SECTION
Densiflora) comes from Hainan province in China, Assam, eastern
Himalayas, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and Laos. It is a small-sized, warm
to cool growing epiphyte in open forests on tree trunks at 700 -1,500m.
Its common name is Jenkins's Dendrobium - Jenkins was an officer
of the East India Trading Co. early 1800's. In China, its common name
is Xiao Huang Hua Shi Hu, and in Thailand, Ueang Phung Noi
It has clustered, branching, fusiform to ovoid-oblong, 4 ribbed, somewhat
flattened pseudobulbs carrying a single, terminal, thickened, leathery,
rigid, oval to oblong, obtuse, notched leaves . Flowering in early spring
on short 15 cm] long, arching to pendant, simultaneously 1 to 5 flowered
racemes that arise from near the apex of the leafed pseudobulb, it carries
short-lived, wide open flowers that are similar to Dendrobium lindleyi.
The main difference is that Dendrobium jenkinsii has a fewer flowered
inflorescence while Dendrobium lindleyi has many flowers. Dendrobium
jenkinsii has a bilobed lip while Dendrobium lindleyi is entire. Dendrobium
jenkinsii has clustered, sulcate, ovoid, flattened pseudobulbs carrying
a single, apical, ovate, thick, shiny, persistent leaf.
Some excellent photos of Dendrobium jenkinsii can be found at LINK. This species is almost always named by growers as Dendrobium aggregatum , a synonym that has been published as valid in the Sanders hybrid list.
Synonyms in use for this species are Callista jenkinsii Kuntze 1891; Dendrobium aggregatum Roxb. var. jenkinsii [Wall.]Lindley 1898; Dendrobium marseillei Gagn. 1934
Dendrobium lindleyi Steud. 1840 (SECTION Densiflora) is found throughout southeast Asia, including Sikkim, Bhutan, north-eastern India, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and southwestern China at 400 - 1,300m. A miniature to small sized, hot-cool growing epiphyte, this species can be found on the trunks and branches of deciduous trees. In Vietnam, this orchid grows high in the canopy in open, dry, primary, broad-leaved, semi-deciduous, mixed and coniferous forests. The plant has erect, clustered, thickened upwards from a slender base, almost spindle-shaped, angled stems carrying a solitary, oblong, leathery, obtuse, leaf. Flowering in late winter-early spring, the pleasantly fragrant flowers are borne on axillary, 5 to 15 flowered, often pendant racemes that arise from nodes at the middle of leafed and leafless canes. This species and its subspecies Dendrobium lindleyi var. jenkinsii need a cool dry winter rest to ensure a spring blooming. As the bright yellow flower colour indicates, Dendrobium lindleyi is a bright light orchid and requires high light to flower well. Its common name is Lindley's Dendrobium named after the 1800's English Botanist, John Lindley. In Thailand, it is known as Ueang phung, and in China as Ju Shi Hu
Photo
source:
Synonyms in use are Callista aggregata (Roxb.) Kuntze 1891; Dendrobium
aggregatum Rox. 1832; Dendrobium alboviride var. majus
Rolfe 1932; Dendrobium lindleyi var. majus (Rolfe) S.Y.Hu
1973; Epidendrum aggregatum Roxb. ex Steud. 1840.
Most commonly, this species is sold as Dendrobium aggregatum.
Dendrobium lindleyi is free flowering once it grows to a reasonable
size plant as can be seen in the photo of Dendrobium lindleyi var.
majus on the following page
This species is also reported to benefit from a dry rest period and colder
night temperatures down to 10°C, and will flower more freely as a
result
Dendrobium palpebrae Lindley 1850 (SECTION Densiflora) is
found in Bangladesh, eastern Himalayas, Yunnan province China, Myanmar,
Thailand, Laos and Vietnam at 800-2,500 m (note the large altitude range).
It is generally seen as a medium sized, warm to cold growing epiphytic
species on primary and secondary forest trees. We saw this species in
flower at Dalat in Vietnam several years ago on a tour organised by Tony.
Vegetatively, it has clustered, rather slender to subclavate, sulcate
stems enveloped by membraneous sheaths carrying 2 to 5, towards the apex,
lanceolate to oblong, acute leaves. Blooming in spring and late summer,
6-15 flowers are carried on 15cm pendulous inflorescences. An albinistic
form exists.
Its common name, the Brow-Like Dendrobium, and in Thailand, Ueang
Matchanu, is linked to the hairs on the lip base that look like eyelashes,
hence its specific epithet palpebra which means eyelid.
This species is often confused with Dendrobium farmeri as the flowers
and growth habit are very similar. The most significant difference is
that the lip is more ovate, and has low side-lobes and the hairs that
John Lindley described "like eyelashes".
Synonyms in use are Callista palpebrae (Lindl.) Kuntze 1891; Callista
palpebrae (Lindl.) Brieger 1981; Dendrobium farmeri var.
album Regel 1868.
Dendrobium sulcatum Lindl. 1838 SECTION Densiflora is found
in Assam, eastern Himalayas, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and south
central China in tropical valleys at altitudes of 500 -1,000m. A small
to medium sized, warm growing epiphyte, this species has somewhat flattened,
25 cm clavate pseudobulbs carrying 2 apical, ovate leaves. Flowering in
late spring, the flowers are borne on short, pendulous inflorescences
produced just below the apical leaf. The short-lived flowers are fimbriate.
In India, the habitat extends from tropical valleys near Kalimpong and
Darjeeling in Sikkim to the Khasi (Khasia) Hills, Assam, Manipur, and
Megahalaya where plants can be found from 500-1000m.
Its common name is the Furrowed Lip Dendrobium, while in Thailand
it is known as Ueang champanan, and in China, as Ju Cao Shi Hu
Photo
source:
The synonym in use is Callista sulcata (Lindl.) Kuntze 1891;
Dendrobium thyrsiflorum B S Williams 1871 (SECTION Densiflora)
is found in the Chinese Himalayas, Hainan China, Assam India, eastern
Himalayas, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam at 1,200-2,000m. This species
is a small to large sized, cool growing, epiphyte, lithophyte or terrestrial
orchid inhabiting humid, mossy mixed and coniferous forests. It has slender,
ridged, rounded, club-shaped, yellowish apically stems carrying 5- 7,
persistent, smooth, flexible, dark green leaves. Flowering in spring,
the dense pendant raceme that arises from the apex of the cane can bear
up to 50 pleasantly fragrant flowers. The flowers are quite variable with
the labellum colour ranging from a pale yellow to intense orange-yellow.
Its common name is the Pine Cone-Like Raceme Dendrobium. In Thailand,
it is known as Ueang mawn khai, while in China, it is known as Qui Hua
Shi Hu.
Synonyms in use are Callista thyrsiflora (Rchb.f. ex André)
M.A.Clem. 2003; Dendrobium densiflorum var. alboluteum Hook.f.
1869; Dendrobium galliceanum Linden 1890; Dendrobium thyrsiflorum
var. bronckartii Cogn. 1904; and Dendrobium thyrsiflorum
var. minutiflorum Aver. 2012
The next section is Dendrobium. Several species in this section
are quite commonly seen in hobbyist collections and most are relatively
undemanding to grow and flower. Some of the more commonly grown species
in this section are:
Dendrobium albosanguineum
Dendrobium anosmum
Dendrobium aphyllum
Dendrobium chrysanthum
Dendrobium crepidatum
Dendrobium crystallinum
Dendrobium devonianum
Dendrobium dixanthum
Dendrobium falconeri
Dendrobium fimbriatum
Dendrobium findlayanum
Dendrobium friedericksianum
Dendrobium gibsonii
Dendrobium heterocarpum
Dendrobium lituiflorium
Dendrobium loddigesii
Dendrobium monifilorme
Dendrobium moschatum
Dendrobium nobile
Dendrobium parishii
Dendrobium primulinum
Dendrobium pulchellum
Dendrobium senile
Dendrobium signatum
Dendrobium stricklandianum
Dendrobium tortile
Dendrobium unicum
Dendrobium wardianum
Dendrobium albosanguineum Lindley & Paxt. 1852 SECTION Dendrobium is found in Myanmar and Thailand growing as an epiphyte high in the canopy at 300-600m. The plants can usually be found in the tops of the tallest trees, but is not common and may be threatened due to deforestation and over-collecting. The plants have stout, subclavate or cylindrical, clustered pseudobulbous canes with strongly developed nodes covered in white sheathing bracts carrying linear-lanceolate, light green, somewhat translucent, deciduous leaves. Spring flowering takes place from the nodes near to the top of more mature leafed and leafless canes on short, 2 to 7 flowered racemes with fragrant, fleshy, long-lived flowers. This species comes from habitats that have a semi-dry, cool winter season.
Its common name is the White and Blood-Red Dendrobium, and culturally, is said to grow best on tree fern slab as it prefers to dry out between watering.
Synonyms in use are Callista albosanguinea (Lindl. & Paxton) Kuntze 1891; Dendrobium atrosanguineum E. Morren & De Voss [Spalm]
Dendrobium anosmum Lindley 1845 SECTION Dendrobium is a
large sized species from Malaysia, Laos, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Philippines,
Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea where it grows as an epiphyte in gallery
layers of lower primary forests up to 1,300m. In the Philippines, this
species can be found growing in mountain forests generally below 750m
with Aerides quinquevulnerum and Anota violacea. While generally
these habitats are distinctly drier in winter, in some locations where
this species occurs, it is wet all year. In Papua New Guinea, plants are
common in the Bulolo and Wau areas where it can be found on rough-barked
trees from sea level to 1,300m.
It grows to be a large to very large, arching to pendulous orchid with
pendulous to120cm many noded stems with each node enveloped by a loose
fitting sheath and carrying oblong elliptic, acute, deciduous leaves.
Flowering in spring, racemes of 8 - 10 pleasantly fragrant flowers arise
from the nodes all along the apice of the leafless cane. Culture for this
plant can be problematic given the long pendant canes, and where possible,
slab-mounting is the most effective option provided high humidity can
be maintained through summer. Several colour forms are known including
an album form and some cultivars that are much more intensely coloured.
Its common name is the Unscented which is a misnomer as the species is
quite fragrant. In China it is known as Tan xiang shi hu
Photo
source:
This species is often sold under one or more of the synonyms in use that
include Callista anosma O. Ktze. 1891; Callista macrophylla
[Lindl.] Kuntze 1891; Callista scortechinii O. Ktze. 1891;
Dendrobium anosmum var. dearei (Rolfe) Ames & Quisumb.
1935; Dendrobium anosmum var. giganteum [Rchb.f] Valmayor
& Tiu 1984; Dendrobium anosmum var. huttonii (Rchb.f.)
Ames & Quisumb. 1935; Dendrobium dayanum B.S.Williams 1864;
Dendrobium leucorhodum Schlechter 1879; Dendrobium macranthum
Hooker or Miquel?; Dendrobium macrophyllum Lindley not Ames or
Richards ?; Dendrobium retusum Llanos 1859; Dendrobium scortechinii
Hooker 1890; Dendrobium superbum Rchb.f 1864; Dendrobium superbum
var. anosmum Rchb.f ? ; Dendrobium superbum var. burkei
Rchb.f. 1884; Dendrobium superbum dearei Rolfe 1891; and Dendrobium
superbum var. huttonii Rchb.f. 1869
Dendrobium aphyllum (Roxb.) C.E.C.Fisch. 1928 SECTION Dendrobium
is found in Hainan China, Assam, Bangladesh, eastern Himalayas, India,
Maldive Islands, Nepal, Sri Lanka, western Himalayas, Andaman Islands,
Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Malaysia, Borneo, Java, Sumatra, Lesser Sunda
Islands, Sulawesi and Queensland as a large sized, hot to cool growing,
epiphyte or in deforested areas, as a lithophyte. This species which is
often named as Dendrobium pierardii or Dendrobium cucullatum
is found at 150-1,800m in lowland and primary montane forests, and in
China in mangrove swamps. It has slender, pendulous, leafy stems carrying
linear-lanceolate or narrowly ovate, acuminate, deciduous leaves. Flowering
throughout the year, but most commonly in winter and spring, the short
inflorescence arises from the nodes of older leafless canes and has 1-3,
fragrant, short-lived, nearly transparent fragile flowers, clustered close
to the cane. An albinistic form also exists. The fragrance is similar
to that of violets. This species is locally threatened due to habitat
destruction and clearing, and over-collection. Its common name is The
Hooded Dendrobium which refers to the cone-shaped lip, in China,
it is known as Dou Chun Shi Hu.
Similar to Dendrobium anosmum, this species is best slab or mount grown to accommodate the long pendant canes.
Helpful cultural information can be found at
Synonyms in use include Callista aphylla Kuntze 1891; Cymbidium
aphyllum (Roxb.) Sw. 1799; Dendrobium aphyllum var. cucullatum
[R. Br.] Sarkar 1984; Dendrobium aphyllum var. katakianum
I.Barua 2001; Dendrobium cucullatum R. Brown 1822; Dendrobium
madrasense A.D.Hawkes 1963; Dendrobium oxyphyllum Gagnep. 1950;
Dendrobium pierardii Roxb. 1822; Dendrobium pierardii var.
cucullatum [R. Br.] J.D. Hook 1890; Epidendrum aphyllum
(Roxb.) Poir. 1810; and Pierardia bicolor (Roxb. ex Hook.) Raf.
1836.
Dendrobium chrysanthum Wallich ex Lindley 1830
SECTION Dendrobium is widespread through the Himalayan foothills
of the western Himalayas, Assam India, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim, Myanmar,
Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. It is found as a large sized, warm to cold
growing epiphyte, as a lithophyte on limestone cliffs in narrow crevasses
and as a terrestrial species in humid, mossy, mixed and coniferous forests
and primary, broadleaf, evergreen, lowland forests at 300 -2,200m. The
pendulous, many noded, sulcate to 150 cm stems carry ovate-lanceolate,
acuminate, shiny green leaves. Blooming from Spring-Autumn, the few to
multiple flowered very short racemes arise on the opposite side of cane
to the leaf on the upper portions of immature leafed-pseudobulbs. The
inflorescence
that arises opposite to the leaves has 1-3 fragrant, fleshy yellow flowers
as the species name suggests. This species and Dendrobium gibsonii
are similar and therefore often confused.
Dendrobium chrysanthum has flowers with on canes carrying leaves, wider petals, narrower spread sepals and a less-rounded lip opening. Its common name is the Golden Yellow Flowered Dendrobium; in Thailand it is known as Ueang thian, Ueang kham sai, Ueang pu loei, Bai morakot and Uang Sai Morakat; while in China, its known as Shu Hua Shi Hu. More cultural information can be found HERE
Synonyms in common use are Callista chrysantha (Wall.) Kuntze 1891; Dendrobium chrysanthum var. anophthalama Rchb.f. 1883; Dendrobium chrysanthum var. microphthalama Rchb.f. 1879; Dendrobium microphthalmum Van Geert 1879; Dendrobium paxtonii Lindley not Paxton 1839 .
Dendrobium crepidatum Lindl. & Paxton 1850 SECTION Dendrobium
is found is China, Assam, Bangladesh, eastern Himalayas, India, Nepal,
Sikkim, western Himalayas, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam at 600-2,100m
as a small to medium sized (30cm), cool to warm growing epiphyte in evergreen
and semi-evergreen tropical forests. In India, it is generally found on
tree trunks in the Terminalia, Careya and Lagerstroemia spp along with
other orchid genera as a sub-erect to pendant species.
Dendrobium
crepidatum var. assimica
Photo
source:
It has tufted, sub-erect to pendulous, terete, striated, 45cm, many noded
stems each covered with a papery sheath, and carrying 5 to 9, oblong to
narrowly lanceolate, acute leaves. Flowering in spring, on short purple
inflorescences arising from near the apex of year old leafless stems,
this species has 1-4 shiny, waxy, delicately fragrant and long-lasting
flowers. An album form is known. Its common name is the Shoe-Lip Dendrobium
which refers to the cavity at the base of the column foot. In China, it
is known as Mei Gui Shi Hu, while in Thailand, Ueang Sai Nam Khieo.
Synonyms in common use are Callista crepidata (Lindl. & Paxton) Kuntze
1891; Callista lawiana (Lindl.) Kuntze 1891; Dendrobium actinomorphum
Blatt. & Halb. 1921; Dendrobium lawanum Lindley 1859; Dendrochilum
roseum Dalzell 1852
Dendrobium crystallinum Rchb. f. 1868 SECTION Dendrobium
found in the Chinese Himalayas, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and
Vietnam as an epiphyte on small trees in exposed locations in evergreen,
semi-deciduous and deciduous dry lowland forests and woodlands, and primary
montane forests at 900-1,700m. This species is another medium sized, pendulous,
warm to cool growing epiphyte with slender, erect or pendant pseudobulbs
without nodes with 2-4, linear-lanceolate, soft-textured, distichous,
deciduous leaves. Spring to summer flowering, it has short 5 cm axillary
inflorescences with 1-3 highly fragrant flowers that emerge from near
the apex of new pseudobulbs.
An album form is known, and the flower colour intensity of specimens of Dendrobium crystallinum can be quite variable, while Dendrobium crystallinum fma. ochroleucum lacks the purple-magenta blotches. Its common name is the Shiny Crystal Dendrobium referring to the crystalline papillae on the column covering the anther cap. In Thailand, it is known as Ueang Sai sam si and Ueang nang fawn. Dendrobium crystallinum has been used for medicinal purposes as a tea in China. Synonyms in common use are Callista crystallina (Rchb. f.) Kuntze 1891; Dendrobium crystallinum var. hainanense S.J.Cheng & C.Z.Tang 1986
Dendrobium devonianum Paxton 1840 SECTION Dendrobium is
found in the Chinese Himalayas, Assam, eastern Himalayas, Bhutan, Myanmar,
Thailand, Laos, southern China and Vietnam. Growing as a warm-cool epiphyte
on tree trunks in montane forests at 500-2,000m, it is a medium sized
species with pendulous, cylindric, slender, slightly fleshy, sub-branched,
many noded stems carrying narrowly ovate-lanceolate, leathery, clasping
sheath base, long acuminate leaves. Blooming in late winter and spring,
the erect to spreading 30cm many flowered inflorescences have with long-lived,
fleshy, fragrant flowers that arise from the nodes near the apex of leafless
to meter-long canes. The flowers are variable especially in the amount
and length of hairs on the petals and lip. Dendrobium devonianum var.
rhodoneurum is a predominantly pink coloured form. This species has
also been used in Chinese herbal medicine. Its common name is Devon's
Dendrobium named after the 1800's English Count and Orchid enthusiast.
In Thailand, it is known as Miang - Sai man pra in and Ueang sai pha kang,
while in China, it is known as Chi Ban Shi Hu
Synonyms in common use are Callista devoniana (Paxton) Kuntze 1891;
Callista moulmeinensis (Parish ex Hook. f.) Kuntze 1891; Dendrobium
brevifolium Hort. ex Lindley 1859; Dendrobium devonianum var.
candidulum Rchb.f. 1876; Dendrobium devonianum var. elliottianum
Rchb.f. 1876; Dendrobium devonianum var. rhodoneurum Rchb.f.
1868 ; Dendrobium moulmeinense Parish ex Hook. f. 1890; Dendrobium
pictum Griff. ex Lindl. 1859; Dendrobium pulchellum Lindley
non Loddiges or Roxbury; Dendrobium pulchellum var. devonianum
[Paxton] Rchb.f
Dendrobium dixanthum Rchb. f. 1865 SECTION Holochrysa is
found in Myanmar, Thailand and Laos as medium to large sized, warm growing
epiphyte in the tops of deciduous forests tall trees at about 700m. In
Myanmar, the species is often found with Dendrobium albosanguineum.
It has erect to pendant, terete stems carrying 4, ligulate to lanceolate,
sub-erect, acute or acuminate leaves. Blooming in winter and spring, flowers
are borne on pendant racemes emerging from the nodes, at and near the
apex of mature pseudobulbs carrying thin textured flowers. It was moved
from SECTION 
Dendrobium
to SECTION Holochrysa following DNA analysis.
Its common name, the Twice Yellow Dendrobium refers to the flower
colours.
In Thailand, it is known as Ueang khamplu - Ueang thian
- Ueang kham pawn - Ueang phai - Ueang baiphai,
and in China as Huang Hua Shi Hu. The synonym in common use is Callista
dixantha (Rchb. f.) Kuntze 1891
Photos
source:
Dendrobium falconeri Hook. f. 1856 SECTION Dendrobium comes
from Assam India, Chinese Himalayas, eastern Himalayas, Bhutan, Myanmar,
Thailand and Taiwan where it grows as a large sized, cool to warm growing
epiphyte on lightly shaded branches and tree trunks in dense forests,
and as a lithophyte on rocks along valleys at 800-1,900m. This species
has pendant, branching, knotty, soft, slender stems that often have roots
at the nodes, and over time, grows into a large, tangled mass of plant
material. Few, linear, grass-like leaves that are deciduous appear at
the apex of new growths. Flowering in spring, very short, single flowered
inflorescences arise along the old and new canes carrying a single, fragrant
flower that lasts about 2 weeks. Its common name is Falconer's Dendrobium
named after the 1800's English Director of Calcutta Botanical Gardens.
In Thailand, it is known as Sai wisut - Rot rueang saeng - Ueang mieng,
and in China as Chuan Zhu Shi Hu
The photos illustrate the growth habit of this species. The in-situ photo
is from HERE,
and the photo below is from
HERE
This species has a reputation for being difficult to sustain in cultivation
for any extended period of time.
Synonyms in common use are Callista falconeri (Hook.) Kuntze 1891;
Dendrobium erythroglossum Hayata 1914; Dendrobium falconeri
albidulum Rchb.f. 1876; Dendrobium falconeri var. albidulum
(Rchb.f.) B.S.Williams 1894; Dendrobium falconeri var. giganteum
B.S.Williams 1885; Dendrobium falconeri var. robustum Rchb.f.
1879; Dendrobium falconeri var. senapatianum C.Deori, Gogoi
& A.A.Mao 2010
Dendrobium fimbriatum Hooker 1823 SECTION Holochrysa is
from Hainan and southeastern China, western Himalayas, Bangladesh, eastern
Himalayas, Assam India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia,
Laos and Vietnam where is grows as a large-sized, warm to cold growing
epiphyte, lithophyte or terrestrial in humid, mossy mixed and coniferous
forests at 800-2,400m. This species has long, erect, arching or pendulous,
light-yellow green when aged, to 120 cm long canes that are thickest in
the middle and have many oblong to lanceolate, acute or acuminate, deciduous
leaves. While predominantly flowering in spring, this species can flower
at any time of the year on pendant, axillary, many flowered racemes arising
from the nodes near the apex of leafless and mature canes. The flowers
have an unpleasant sour fragrance.
This species too was moved from SECTION Dendrobium to SECTION Holochrysa
following DNA analysis. Its common name is the Fringe-Lipped Dendrobium.
In Thailand, it is known as - Waew mayura - Ueang kham noi - Ueang kham
foi - Ueang kham ta dam, and in China as Liu SU Shi Hu.
This species has been used in Asian medicine. The form
Dendrobium fimbriatum var. occulatum which has a distinct
'eye' or occula or maroon-blotched floral labellum is the most common
in cultivation with the pure yellow-flowered form shown above less
commonly seen.
Photo
source:
Synonyms in common use are Callista fimbriata (Hook.) Kuntze 1891;
Callista normalis (Falc.) Kuntze 1891; Dendrobium normale
Falc. 1839; Dendrobium paxtonii Paxt. 1839
Dendrobium findlayanum Par. & Rchb.f 1874 SECTION Dendrobium
is found in the Chinese Himalayas, Myanmar, Thailand and Laos where it
grows as a medium to large sized, cool growing epiphyte in at altitudes
of 1,000-1,700m in mixed forests. The 50cm sulcate canes are bilaterally
compressed with swollen nodes (up to 7 per cane) coloured green before
becoming yellow with age carrying deciduous, narrowly elliptic or lanceolate,
acute, bright green leaves.
Blooming in winter and spring takes place on very short,
axillary, racemose inflorescences that arise from the nodes near the apex
of mature leafless canes with few, long-lasting, color-variable, fragrant
flowers. An albinistic colour variant is known and the form Dendrobium
findlayanum var. occulatum has two distinct maroon 'eyes' or
occula in the base of the labellum. Its common name is Findlay's Dendrobium
after an 1800's English collector in Borneo. In Thailand, it is known
as Phuang yok, and in China as Bang Jie Shi Hu
The
photo to the left clearly shows the very
distinctive sulcate pseudobulbs, while the photo below shows the form
Dendrobium findlayanum var. occulatum
Photos
source:
Synonyms in common use are Callista findlayana (Parish & Rchb.
f.) Kuntze 1891; Dendrobium findleyanum Par. & Rchb.f 1874
(misspelling)
Dendrobium
friedericksianum Rchb.f 1887 SECTION Dendrobium is found in
Thailand, Malaysia and Cambodia where it grows as an epiphyte in the canopy
of low elevation primary and secondary forest trees. It is a hot to cool
growing, medium sized, epiphyte with sub erect, basally slender and cylindrical
to clavate above, light yellow stems carrying in the apical third, several
deciduous leaves. Blooming in spring, 2-4 waxy, long-lived flowers are
borne on short, racemose inflorescences. Its common name is Friederick's
Dendrobium. In Thailand it is known as Lueang chantabun.
Dendrobium friedericksianum var. occulatum Seidenfaden &
Smitinand 1959 is a variety with red blotches on either side of the base
of the lip. This form is more commonly seen in collections.
Dendrobium gibsonii Paxton 1838 SECTION Holochrysa is found
in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, China and Vietnam at 650-1,650m
as a large sized, warm to cool growing epiphyte or lithophyte on mossy
limestone cliffs. It has centrally swollen, tapering towards the apex,
pendulous,
ribbed stems carrying 6 to 10, ovate to lanceolate, acute, deciduous leaves.
Flowering in spring and summer on a slightly fractiflex, the nodding to
pendulous, 15- 20 cm, loosely 6 to 15 flowered inflorescence arises on
older leafless canes.
While normally epiphytic, in deforested areas it can
be found growing lithophytically. This species was moved from SECTION
Dendrobium to SECTION Holochrysa following DNA analysis.
This species and Dendrobium chrysanthum are similar but Dendrobium
gibsonii has deciduous leaves, narrower petals, sepals that are much
more spreading and the lip opening is rounder.
Synonyms in use are Callista binocularis (Rchb.f.) Kuntze 1891;
Callista gibsonii (Lindl.) Kuntze 1891; Dendrobium binoculare
Rchb.f. 1869; Dendrobium fuscatum Lindl. 1859; Stachyobium
aureum Rchb.f. 1869
Its common name is Gibson's Dendrobium named after an 1800's English
Orchid Collector. In China, it is known as Qu Zhou Shi Hu and in Thailand
as Ueang Kham Ta
Dendrobium heterocarpum Wall. ex Lindl. 1830 SECTION Dendrobium
can be found in the Chinese Himalayas, Assam, eastern Himalayas, Nepal,
Bhutan, Sikkim, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Borneo, Java,
Lesser Sunda Islands, Sumatra, Sulawesi and the Philippines. Growing in
evergreen lowland forests and primary montane forests as a small to very
large epiphyte at 100-1,800m this species has fusiform or sub cylindrical,
erect or pendulous, many noded, stems that yellow with age. Tubular basal
sheaths carrying deciduous, ligulate or oblong-lanceolate, acute to obtuse
leaves. Blooming in winter through spring and summer, the flowers are
borne on lateral, short, few to several, long-lived, both fragrant and
not fragrant flowered inflorescences that arise from the nodes on 2 to
3 year old leafless canes.
Gary Yong Gee writing in the Orchid Species Bulletin in September 2011
says the Dendrobium heterocarpum has long-lived flowers that are
sweetly fragrant, however some of the plants from the Philippines are
not perfumed. Howard Wood (2006) recognises Dendrobium rhombeum
Lindl., the Philippine variant, as distinct. Jim Cootes (2001) says that
there are two forms found in the Philippines. One form grows erect to
about 50 cm long and the flowers have a hairy lip with a lot of brown
markings. The other is semi-pendulous with stems up to 2 m long, which
have flowers that have a differently shaped, smooth lip. There seem to
be two distinct species involved in the Philippines. Jim Comber (1990)
says that plants in the Philippines are quite distinct from those found
in Thailand whilst those from Borneo have much smaller flowers than either
Javanese or Thai plants.
Its common name is The Different Fruit Dendrobium. In Thailand, it is known as Ueang si tan, and in China, as Jian Dao Chun Shi Hu. Synonyms in common use are Callista aurea [Lindl.] Kuntze 1891; Callista heterocarpa (Wall. ex Lindl.) Kuntze 1891; Dendrobium atractodes Ridl. 1885; Dendrobium aureum Lindl. 1830; Dendrobium aureum var. pallidum Lindl. 1839; Dendrobium heterocarpum var. henshalii Hook. 1857; Dendrobium minahassae Kraenzlin 1910; Dendrobium rhombeum Lindley 1843;
Dendrobium lituiflorum Lindley 1856 SECTION
Dendrobium is found in the Chinese
Himalayas,
Assam, Bangladesh, eastern Himalayas, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam
in broadleaved forests on tree trunks at 300m. Growing epiphytically,
this species has clustered, slender, reed-like, pendulous, 11 to 15 noded,
covered in sheaths, basally swollen stems carrying deciduous, fleshy,
linear-lanceolate, acute leaves. Blooming in spring through autumn, one-five
longlasting, fragrant flowers are borne on short scapes that arise from
nodes along dormant canes. This species is deciduous in the dry, cooler
months of the year.
Photo
source:
Albinistic and pure alba forms exist, but are less
common in collections.
Photo
source:
This species common name is The Bent-Raceme Dendrobium. In Thailand, it is known as Ueang sai muang - Ueang khrang, and in China as La Ba Chun Shi Hu. Synonyms in common use are Callista lituiflora (Lindl.) Kuntze 1891 and Dendrobium hanburyanum Rchb.f 1856
Dendrobium loddigesii Rolfe 1887 SECTION Dendrobium
from Laos, Vietnam, China and Hong Kong is a miniature to small sized,
cool growing epiphyte, lithophyte or terrestrial. Its habitat is humid,
mossy, mixed and coniferous forests at 1,000 - 1,500m. It has tufted,
pendant, sub terete, striated, several noded, white sheathed stems carrying
alternate, fleshy, oblong, acute leaves and experiences a dry cooler winter
and a warmer wet spring and summer. 
Flowering
in Spring, the long-lasting, fragrant flowers arise on short single flowered
inflorescences at the nodes of leafless canes. Some forms with variegated
foliage have been discovered and are now being propagated for commercial
sale. It appears that this species was well known in cultivation for many
years before its natural occurrence habitat was discovered and it was
described and identified. It is easily propagated from the stem growths.
Its common name is Loddiges' Dendrobium after
an English botanist of the 1800's. In China, it is known as Mei Hua Shi
Hu.
Synonyms in common use are Callista loddigesii (Rolfe) Kuntze 1891;
Dendrobium pulchellum Loddiges not Roxb. 1933; Dendrobium seidelianum
Rchb.f ?
Dendrobium moniliforme (L.) Sw. 1799 SECTION Dendrobium
is found in China, Western Himalayas, Nepal, Eastern Himalayas; Assam,
Myanmar, Vietnam, Korea, Ryukyus Islands and Taiwan at 800-3,000m. It
can be a small to large sized, cold to warm epiphyte growing in broadleaf
forests or as a lithophyte on rocks. It can have either erect or pendant
stems, that are tufted, terete, many noded, slightly wider in the middle,
purplish green in colour and covered with greyish sheaths. These canes
yellow with age, and have narrowly lanceolate, deciduous, obtuse leaves.
Flowering takes place from winter to the end of summer on a very short,
2 flowered inflorescences that arise from the nodes of old leafless canes.
This species is deciduous, and the flowers are pleasantly fragrant, and
range from white through pale rose pink and lemon in colour.
Variegated foliage forms are known and are increasingly being bred for the commercial market including a tricoloured form from Japan where the miniature and variegated forms are desired. Many varietal forms are marketed with different leaf variegation, flower colour, and flower shapes (similar to Neofinetia falcata). Often, these forms are grown and exhibited for their foliage rather than their flowers.
This species common name is the Necklace-Shaped Dendrobium; in China it is known as Xi Jing Shi Hu
There are many synonyms in commo use; Callista candida (Wall. ex
Lindl.) Kuntze 1891; Callista japonica Kuntze 1891; Callista
moniliformis (L.) Kuntze 1891; Dendrobium castum Bateman 1868;
Dendrobium crispulum Kimura & Migo 1936; Dendrobium heishanense
Hayata 1914; Dendrobium japonicum Lindley 1830; Dendrobium
kosepangii C.L.Tso 1933; Dendrobium monile[Thunb.]Kraenzl 1910;
Dendrobium moniliforme var. malipoense L.J.Chen & Z.J.Liu,
J. Wuhan 2008; Dendrobium nienkui Tso 1933; Dendrobium taiwanianum
S.S.Ying 1978; Dendrobium yunnanense Finet 1907; Dendrobium
zonatum Rolfe 1903; Epidendrum monile Thunberg 1799; Epidendrum
moniliferum Panzer 1783; *Epidendrum moniliforme Linn. 1753;
Limodorum monile (Thunb.) Thunb. 1794; Onychium japonicum
Bl. 1848; Ormostema albiflora Raf. 1836
Dendrobium moschatum Sw. 1805 SECTION Holochrysa
occurs through the Western and Eastern Himalayas, Assam, Bangladesh,
India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim, 
Myanmar,
Hainan China, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam as an epiphyte in open forests
on tree trunks at 300-900m. It is large, hot to warm growing epiphyte
with erect, arching or pendulous, terete, canes that turn brown with age.
The narrowly elliptic to oblong-ovate, leathery, acute leaves are carried
in the apical half. Flowering occurs in late spring and early summer on
an axillary, pendulous, 20 cm, few to several flowered racemes with musk
scented flowers that last about a week from or near the apex of a leafless
cane. This species is the type species for SECTION Holochrysa.
Photo source:
This species has an unusual pouch-shaped labellum as shown in the close-up photo. Flower colour is highly variable ranging from lemon yellow to intense/orange through to dusky pink forms.
Its common name is the Musky Smelling Dendrobium. In Thailand,
it is known as Leueang nok khamin - Ueang mawn khai - Ueang champa ; while
in China it is known as China Shao Chun Shi Hu.
Synonyms in common use include Callista calceola (Carey ex Hook.)
Kuntze 1891; Callista moschata Kuntze 1891; Cymbidium moschatum
Willd. 1805; Dendrobium calceolaria Carey ex Hook. 1825; Dendrobium
cupreum Herb. ex Lindl. 1835; Dendrobium moschatum Wall. ex
D.Don 1825; Dendrobium moschatum var. unguipetalum I.Barua
2001; Epidendrum moschatum Buch.-Ham. 1800; Thicuania moschata
(Sw.) Raf. 1836
Dendrobium nobile Lindley 1830 SECTION Dendrobium is a medium
sized species found in the Chinese and Eastern Himalayas, Assam, India,
Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. It is a cool
to hot growing terrestrial or lithophytic species in broadleaf, evergreen,
lowland forests and primary montane forests, 
and
often on mossy limestone rocks at 200 -2,000m. With erect, clustered,
compressed, grooved with age, yellowish stems that carry distichous, coriaceous,
strap shaped or oblong, persistent leaves, this species flowers in winter
and spring but can flower throughout the years given appropriate conditions.
Short, 2 to 4 flowered racemes bear fragrant, waxy, sometimes heavy-textured,
long-lived, highly variable flowers that arise at the upper nodes of leafed
and leafless canes.
Photo
source:
This species is highly variable as to colour and flower shape, with some line-bred cultivars having much more rounded and filled in flowers. Several varietal forms are recognised. It has been widely used in hybridising in Japan and Hawaii, and many of the so called soft-cane or nobile hybrids with have Dendrobium nobile in their breeding. Care needs to be taken in this regard as many are sold as Dendrobium nobile, but in fact are hybrids.
The typical flower form is relatively open although 
Dendrobium
nobile var. cooksonianum is more intensely coloured and has
larger petals and sepals.
Dendrobium nobile var. virginalis is an alba form.
Photo
source:
Its common name is the Noble Dendrobium.
In Thailand, it is known as Ueang Khao Kiu; in China Shi Hu. Synonyms
in use are Callista nobilis (Lindl.) Kuntze 1891; Dendrobium coerulescens
Wallich 1838; Dendrobium formosanum [Rchb.f]Masamune 1933;
Dendrobium lindleyanum Griffith 1851; Dendrobium nobile f.
nobilius (Rchb.f.) M.Hiroe 1971; Dendrobium nobile var. alboluteum
Huyen & Aver. 1989; Dendrobium nobile var. formosanum Rchb.f.
1883; Dendrobium nobile var. nobilius Rchb.f. 1833; Dendrobium
nobile virginale Rolfe 1900; Dendrobium wallichianum B.S.Williams
1862.
Dendrobium parishii Low 1863 SECTION Dendrobium comes from China, Assam, Bangladesh, Eastern Himalayas, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam where is grows as an epiphyte in broadleaf, evergreen, lowland forests and primary montane forests at 250-1,700m. It is a small to medium sized, hot to cool growing species with erect or slightly pendant yellowish stems enveloped by white, membraneous sheaths carrying narrowly ovate to elliptic, obtuse, stiff, leathery, blunt, deciduous leaves that are apically notched. Fragrant, longlasting flowers borne on short 2-3 flowered racemes occur from February to August with a peak time May and June. Flowers arise from the nodes on the upper half of old, pendulous, leafless canes. Various colour forms are known including albinistic and coerulea variants.
Its
common name is Parish's Dendrobium, named after an 1800's English
missionary and orchid collector. In Thailand, it is known as Ueang sai
nam khrang - Ueang attakrit - Ueang inthakrit - Ueang sai nam khrang,
and in China as Zi Ban Shi Hu
The pure alba form is less often seen but is very attractive
Photos
source:
Synonyms in use are Callista parishii (Rchb. f.) Kuntze 1891; Callista
rhodopterygia (Rchb. f.) Kuntze 1891; Dendrobium polyphlebium Rchb.f.
1887; Dendrobium rhodopterygium Rchb.f 1875
Dendrobium primulinum Lindley 1858 SECTION Dendrobium
is found in Assam, Eastern Himalayas, Nepal, Western Himalayas, Andaman
Islands, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, China and Vietnam. It is large, warm
growing, pendant epiphyte that grows on deciduous trees at 500-1,000m.
This species grows in habitats where it receives direct sunlight for a
minimum of 3 hours each day. Dendrobium primulinum has clustered,
ascending, prostrate or pendulous, terete, sulcate stems covered in white
sheath. Flowering from winter through to summer, flowers are borne on
short inflorescences with minute bracts and 1or 2 fragrant flowers. The
flower stems arise from nodes along leafless canes.
Several colour variants of this species are known including alba, albinistic
and predominantly yellow. Its common name is the Primrose Yellow Dendrobium,
while in Thailand it is known as Ueang Sai Nam Phung
Photo
source:
Some authors consider this species to be synonymous with Dendrobium
polyanthum. Other synonyms in use are Callista primulina (Lindl.)
Kuntze 1891 and Dendrobium nobile var. pallidiflorum Hooker
1856.
Dendrobium pulchellum Roxb. 1832 SECTION Dendrobium is found in Assam India, Bangladesh, eastern Himalayas, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, China and Vietnam at 70-2,200m. It is a large, hot to cool growing epiphyte that is found in open deciduous forests with hot, wet humid summers and cooler, drier winters. It has erect, slender, terete, purplish with age, up to 2m stems enveloped by purple-striped leaf sheaths and carrying persistent, linear-oblong, cordate at base, obtuse or acute leaves. Blooming from late winter to spring, on drooping several flowered inflorescences up to 30 cm long arise laterally from nodes near the apex of leafed and leafless canes. The 5-15, long-lasting, up to 13cm flowers are pleasantly fragrant. Several colour forms are known including albinistic variants. This species common name is the Charming Dendrobium while in Thailand, it is known as Ueang chang nao - Ueang takwai
Synonyms in use are Callista pulchella (Roxb.
ex Lindl.) Kuntze 1891; Dendrobium brevifolium Lindl. 1858;
Dendrobium dalhousieanum Wallich 1844; Dendrobium moschatum
Griff. 1851
Dendrobium signatum Rchb. f. 1884 SECTION Dendrobium comes
from Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam at 200-1,500m. It is a medium
sized, hot to cool growing epiphyte with slender, fleshy, becoming pendulous
with age pseudobulbs carrying leathery, lanceolate, pointed, eventually
deciduous leaves.
Flowering from winter to early
summer, two long-lived, fragrant flowers are borne on short inflorescences
that 
arise
on a mature leafless cane towards the apex. Several colour variants are
known.
A different colour form. Photo source:
This species common name is the Marked Dendrobium. In Thailand, it is known as Kluay mai noi - Ueang kham kiu - Ueang tin nok - Ueang tin pet. Synonyms in use are Dendrobium hildebrandtii Rolfe 1894; Dendrobium tortile var. hildebrandi (Rolfe) T. Tang & F.T. Wang 1951
Dendrobium tortile Lindley 1847 SECTION Dendrobium is found
in Assam India, Bangladesh, Andaman Islands, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand,
Laos and Vietnam at 1,200m. It is a small to medium sized, cool, ascending
to pendant growing epiphyte, terrestrial or lithophyte. It has very distinctive
club to spindle shaped, grooved and medially flattened stems with tubular
leaf sheaths carrying 3 to 4, thin, deciduous, curved, leathery, sharply
pointed leaves. Longlasting, fragrant flowers appear from late winter
to early summer on axillary up to 8 cm racemes with 2-3 flowers per inflorescence.
The inflorescences arise from the upper leaf axils of leafless canes.
As do many of the species in the Section, flower colour is quite variable
with several colour forms known, predominantly pale pink to more intense
pink as well as albinistic variants.
This photo from Peter Williams shows Dendrobium tortile growing lithophytically in Thailand.
Its common name is the Twisted Dendrobium. In
Thailand, it is known as Khao kiu.
Synonyms in use are Dendrobium dartoisianum De Wild 1906; Dendrobium
haniffi Ridl. ex Burkill 1924
Dendrobium unicum Seidenfadden 1970 SECTION Dendrobium. This species' common name, the Unique Dendrobium is quite appropriate as there are few others like it. Found in Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand in evergreen; semi-deciduous and deciduous dry lowland forests and savannah woodlands at 800-1,500m, it is both epiphytic and lithophytic. Some years ago on a trip to Thailand, we saw this species in flower during a prolonged drought.
The plants were severely desiccated and blackened by their exposure to the hot sun (note the lichen on the branches which suggests some humidity is present, perhaps from overnight dew even during drought conditions).
This is a truly miniature species with clustered, small stems carrying 2 to 3, apical, narrow, persistent leaves. Flowering in late spring and early summer, up to 4 fragrant flowers are borne on axillary, short racemes that arise from near and at the apex of leafed and leafless canes. It is similar to Dendrobium dickasonii and Dendrobium lamyaiae but has smaller flowers with a wider cupped lip and three central keels
Closeup flower Photo Source
Dendrobium wardianum Warner 1862 SECTION Dendrobium
is found in Assam, China, Eastern Himalayas, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam,
where it is a medium to large sized cool growing epiphyte or lithophyte.
Found in broad-leafed, evergreen lowland forests between 1,000 and 2,000m,
it is an erect to pendulous species with terete, nodally thickened, with
up to 80 cm stems carrying deciduous, oblong-lanceolate, acute leaves.
Flowering in winter, very short inflorescences typically carry 1-3 fragrant,
relatively large longlasting flowers that arise from prior years' leafless
canes. Several colour forms are known. Large, brightly coloured Dendrobium
wardianum 
flowers
are said to stand out like beacons in the forest. Its habitats are under
threat as clearing for cropping and oil palm plantations expand.
Photo
source:
Its common name is Ward's Dendrobium named after an 1800's English
orchid enthusiast. In Thailand, it is known as Mani trirong, and in China
as Da Bao Qiao Shi Hu. Synonyms in use are Callista wardiana
Kuntze 1891; Dendrobium album Wms.; Dendrobium falconeri
Hkr. var. wardianum Hkr.; Dendrobium wardianum candidum
Rchb.f. 1876; Dendrobium wardianum var. assamicum S.Jenn.
1875; Dendrobium wardianum var. pictum O'Brien 1894.
In 2004, while on a trip to Chiang Mai, we saw and tried to purchase large
plants of Dendrobium wardianum from a nursery but were informed
that the plants were not for sale. The plants were in flower, and given
the large, heavy substance and intense flower colouration, I believe that
the plants were most likely 4N forms. To make a long story short, the
nursery proprietor Hans Herman failed to supply any of the orchids that
were purchased by the group and despite efforts over several years, never
made good on his promise to supply the plants or reimburse us. The nursery
closed and subsequently, Mr Herman died without meeting his debt to the
many orchid growers who lost money dealing with him.
SECTION Formosae includes the species which
have the canes covered in fine 'hair'. Many members of this Section have
well-deserved reputations for being difficult to grow in cultivation.
All species of this section including those which occurs eastern Indochina
have attractive, long-lasting flowers and are of outstanding significance
for ornamental horticulture and breeding. Extensive collection in nature
for the orchid trade and deforestation for agriculture mean that they
have become endangered or extinct in many areas of their primary distribution.
Some of the more commonly seen members of this section in cultivation
are:
Dendrobium bellatulum
Dendrobium cariniferum
Dendrobium catenatum
Dendrobium christyanum
Dendrobium cruentum,
Dendrobium daklakense
Dendrobium dearei
Dendrobium draconis
Dendrobium formosum
Dendrobium infundibulum
Dendrobium longicornu
Dendrobium ochraceum
Dendrobium sanderae
Dendrobium scabrilingue
Dendrobium schuetzei
Dendrobium senile
Dendrobium trigonopus
Dendrobium wattii
Dendrobium williamsonii
Dendrobium bellatulum Rolfe 1903 SECTION Formosae. This miniature
sized warm to cold growing species from China, Himalayas, Laos, Myanmar,
Thailand and Vietnam is found in primary montane forests at 700- 2,100m.
It is a sometimes solitary epiphyte with tufted, erect to suberect, close
set, very short, ovoid to fusiform, grey-green stems covered in fine black
hairs. They have 2-4, eventually deciduous, sub terminal,
distichous, ligulate to narrowly elliptic to oblong-lanceolate, obtuse,
unequally bilobed, grey-green leathery leaves, covered in fine black hairs
on both surfaces. Flowering in spring, on very short racemes, the 3-5
flowered inflorescences arise from leafy stems. The flowers are pleasantly
fragrant and longlasting. In common with many members of the genus Dendrobium,
several colour variants exist.
On
a trip to Vietnam in 2008, we visited Dalat and saw Dendrobium bellatulum
growing on pine trees in secondary
forests. Plants were generally small and solitary with only a few on each
tree.
While similar to both Dendrobium luekelianum and Dendrobium
christyanum, Dendrobium bellatulum differs in the raised callus on
the lip with the yellow apex. Its common name is the Enchanting Dendrobium.
In China, it is known as Ai Shi Hu. The synonym in use is Dendrobium
bellatulum var. cleistogamia Pradhan 1979 that generally refers
to the albinistic variant
Dendrobium cariniferum Reichb.f. 1869 SECTION Formosae can
be found in the Chinese Himalayas, Assam, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia,
Laos and Vietnam as a miniature sized, hot to cool growing epiphyte in
humid, mossy, mixed and coniferous forests on mossy branches of old, dwarf,
gnarled trees and primary montane forests at elevations at 450 1,800m.
It has thick, hirsute stems with 4-
6,
broad, hirsute beneath leaves. Flowering in spring on very short, apical
inflorescences with 2-5 hirsute flowers, it has a pleasant orange fragrance.
Its common name is the Keel-Carrying Dendrobium. In Thailand, it
is known as Ueang sae dong - Ueang ngoen daeng - Ueang kachok - Ueang
tueng, and in China, as Chi E Shi Hu. Synonyms in use are Callista
carinifera (Rchb.f.) Kuntze 1891;
Dendrobium cariniferum var lateritium Rchb.f
Dendrobium catenatum Lindley 1830 SECTION Formosae. This
species can be found in China, Korea and Japan in moderately damp montane
forests as a small to medium sized, cool to warm growing epiphyte, and
as a lithophyte at 300-1,600m. It is principally marketed as Dendrobium
tosaense. It has long, clustered, terete, pendant or erect, pale green
stems carrying to 12, ligulate-lanceolate, acute, deciduous leaves. Flowering
from mid-winter to mid-spring, flowers are borne on lax, 2-6cm few to
several flowered inflorescences that arise from the nodes near the apex
of 2 to 3 year old leafless canes. Dendrobium officinale 
and
Dendrobium candidum are similar and often listed as synonyms. Several
colour variants are known.
Its common name is the Chained Dendrobium. In Japan, it is known
as Kibana-seki-koku, and in China Huang Shi Hu. Synonyms in use are Callista
stricklandiana (Rchb.f.) Kuntze 1891; Dendrobium funiushanense
T.B.Chao, Z.X.Chen & Z.K.Chen 1992; Dendrobium huoshanense Z.Z.Tang
& S.J.Cheng 1984; Dendrobium pere-fauriei Hayata 1916; Dendrobium
stricklandianum Rchb.f. 1877; Dendrobium
tosaense Makino 1891; Dendrobium tosaense
var. chingshuishanianum S.S.Ying 1989; Dendrobium tosaense
var. pere-fauriei (Hayata) Masam. 1933
Dendrobium christyanum Rchb. f. 1882 SECTION
Formosae. Growing as miniature to small sized, warm to cool growing
epiphyte in highland primary cloud forests at 800-1,600 m in northern
Vietnam and Thailand, and southwestern China, this species has caespitose,
subclavate, abbreviated pseudobulbs enveloped by 3-4, pellucid sheaths
covered in black hairs and carries 2 black hair covered lanceolate, obtuse,
obliquely bilobed apically leaves towards the apex of the pseudobulbs
as can be seen in the following in situ photo. Fragrant flowers in late
spring and summer occur on either terminal or lateral, very short, single
flowered
inflorescences that arise from the apex or on the sides of old and new
pseudobulbs.
Dendrobium christyanum is similar to both Dendrobium
luekelianum and Dendrobium bellatulum but differs as it possesses
a flat central callus on the lip with a yellow or white apex.
Its common name is Christy's Dendrobium named after an 1800's English
orchid enthusiast. In China, it is known as Mao Qiao Shi Hu, and in Thailand
as Uang Sae Doi Pui. The synonym in use is Dendrobium margaritaceum
Finet 1901
Dendrobium cruentum Rchb.f 1884 SECTION Formosae. This species is considered rare and endangered in the wild due to massive over-collection and deforestation and accordingly, is listed in Appendix I of CITES. Fortunately, it is now readily available in flask from artificial propagation. It is found in Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam as a small to medium sized, hot to warm growing, epiphytic species below 1,000m in open forests where it can be found on smaller trees. Dendrobium cruentum has erect pseudobulbs that are swollen basally, with hairy leaf sheaths carrying many, deciduous, elliptic-oblong, leathery leaves that are hairy on the underside and are spaced all along the stem. Flowering occurs in spring through autumn on axillary, short, 1-2 flowered inflorescences with faintly fragrant, longlasting flowers that arise from the nodes on the stem in between leaves at the upper apex of the leafed pseudobulb.
Its common name is the Blood Red Dendrobium, while in Thailand it is known as Ueang nok kaeo. The reason is clearly demonstrated by the following photo. The article in Orchids Australia notes that sadly, this plant died.
Photo
source
Once again, flower colour is quite variable.
The synonym in use is Callista cruenta (Rchb. f.) Kuntze 1891
Dendrobium senile Parish ex Rchb.f 1865 SECTION Formosae comes from Myanmar, Thailand and Laos where is can be found as miniature, warm to cool growing epiphyte at 500-1,200m. It has distinctive sub erect, reclining to creeping, hairy, succulent-like pseudobulbs and with 2-6, ovate-lanceolate, alternate, semi-deciduous leaves. Flowering in spring and summer, the lemon fragrant one to several flowers are borne on short inflorescences that arise from the upper nodes of the leafed and leafless canes. Its common name is the White Haired Dendrobium, while in Thailand, it is known as Ueang chani. This species is known to be difficult to maintain over time in cultivation
Synonyms in use are Callista senilis (Parish & Rchb. f.) Kuntze
1891; Callista senilis (Parish & Rchb. f.) Brieger 1981
Dendrobium senile
in situ Thailand
Photo
source:
Dendrobium trigonopus
Rchb. f. 1887 SECTION Formosae
This small sized, hot to cool growing epiphyte is found in Myanmar, Thailand,
southwestern China, Laos and Vietnam in remnant forests on tree trunks
at 300-1,500m. It has tufted, fusiform, sulcate, shiny purplish brown,
stems carrying 1 to 4, subterminal, ligulate or oblong, thick, papery,
dull green, acute leaves. Flowering late winter and early spring, 1-4
waxy, long lasting, fragrant flowers with minute bracts are borne on very
short racemes that arise from the nodes near the apex of both leafy and
leafless canes. This species has also proven difficult to maintain in
cultivation.
Dendrobium trigonopus
in situ
Photo
source:
Its common name is the Triangular Column Foot Dendrobium. In Thailand, it is known as Kam Pak Gai - Ueang kham liam (translated - the Golden Chicken's Beak Orchid). In China, it is known as Chi Geng Shi Hu. Synonyms in use are Callista trigonopus (Rchb. f.) Kuntze 1891; Dendrobium velutinum Rolfe 1895
Dendrobium wattii (Hook. F) Rchb.f 1882 SECTION
Formosae
Found as an epiphyte in dense forests on tree trunks at 1,500-2,600 m
from China, Myanmar, northern Thailand, northwest India, northern Laos
and Vietnam China through Burma and northern Laos, it is another member
of the nigro-hirsute (black haired) section of Dendrobium and is
noted for its long-lasting flowers. It is a miniature to medium sized,
cool to cold growing epiphyte with slender, cylindrical canes carrying
4 to 8, narrowly linear, leathery leaves with the leaf sheaths having
fine black hairs. Blooming in the spring on short inflorescences arising
near 
the
apex of leafless canes, short racemes carry 2 to 3 flowers. The leafless
canes rebloom for several years.
Photos
source:
Its common name is Watt's Dendrobium after an English botanist
and orchid collector in India in the late1800's. In China, it is known
as Gao Shan Shi Hu. Synonyms in use are Callista wattii (Hook.f.)
Kuntze 1891; Dendrobium cariniferum var. wattii Hkr.f; Dendrobium
congianum Aver.2016; Dendrobium evrardii Gagnep. 1930
In situ photo by Peter Williams
Dendrobium williamsonii J. Day & Rchb. f. 1869 SECTION Formosae
This species is also in the nigro-hirsute group and is found in the Chinese
Himalayas, Assam India, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam in forests on tree
trunks at 600-1,400m as a small sized, warm to cool growing epiphyte.
It has upright, elongate-fusiform, velvety stems that are many leafed
towards the apex carrying, oblong or lanceolate, velvety, obscurely bilobed
apically leaves with leaf sheaths that are densely covered with black
hairs. Flowering in the late winter and early spring, 1-3 waxy, fragrant
flowers are borne on very short, black hairy racemes that arise from near
the apex of the newest maturing cane.
Photo
source:
Its common name is Williamson's Dendrobium named after an English
orchid collector in India in the 1800's. In China, it is known as Hei
Mao Shi Hu. Synonyms in use are Callista lubbersiana (Rchb. f.)
Kuntze 1891; Callista williamsonii (J. Day & Rchb. f.) Kuntze
1891; Dendrobium lubbersianum Rchb.f 1882
In situ photo source:
General Culture Notes for Section Formosae species
As noted earlier, Dendrobium species in section Formosae have
a deserved reputation for being difficult to grow and sustain over the
long term in cultivation. However, some growers do not share this experience
and it is due to their understanding of the natural environment and habitat
from which the species originates. This generally involves a resting period
where the species should be kept drier, although this rule does not apply
to all species in the section. Generally, this drier period occurs in
their natural habitat in winter, so these species need protection from
winter rainfall, and will benefit from some warmth as winter in their
habitat during local winter will be dry, but not cold and dark as can
be experiences in Western Australia. The majority of species in this section
are epiphytes, so can be grown in media in pots, or if you are able to
maintain humidity in summer, on slab mounts. The media should be able
to hold sufficient moisture between watering to prevent the plant from
becoming dehydrated, but not stay soggy. Remember, the majority of this
section's species are epiphytes and their roots are exposed to air and
completely dry between rain periods. You will find that as your plants
grow new canes; most often the active roots will be outside the pot in
the air. Therefore, if you are growing in a container, the media should
allow the free movement of air through the container. Choose a media of
consistent size (larger media for species with larger roots, small media
for species with very fine roots). If it is part of your orchid culture,
you could include perlite or styrofoam/polystyrene to provide air spaces.
Generally Dendrobium species prefer slightly acid media about pH 6.7.
All of this is important as the species in this section are susceptible
to root loss if the media breaks down and stays wet, is affected by salt
build-up, or is invaded by weeds and/or fungal or bacterial pathogens.
SECTION Latouria
The fifty or so species in section Latouria are primarily found
in New Guinea, although some members are found in the Philippines and
Samoa. They are principally epiphytic and can be found from sea level
to high altitude, usually in areas of high, year-round rainfall. The flowers
are long lasting, and range from small to relatively large with the latter
being popular for hybridisation. Early collection and identification of
these species from the wild means that artificially propagated plants
of the more showy species are readily available at reasonable prices.
These less well-known species often come from very inaccessible habitats
that are difficult to replicate, and are therefore uncommon in collections.
Some of the more frequently available species in this section are:
Dendrobium aberrans
Dendrobium alexandrae
Dendrobium atroviolaceum
Dendrobium bifalce
Dendrobium convolutum
Dendrobium engae
Dendrobium eximium
Dendrobium finisterrae
Dendrobium forbesii
Dendrobium johsoniae
Dendrobium macrophyllum
Dendrobium polysema
Dendrobium punamense
Dendrobium rhodostictum
Dendrobium shiraishii
Dendrobium spectabile
Dendrobium tapiniense
Dendrobium aberrans Schltr. 1912 SECTION Latouria
This is a mini-miniature to miniature sized, hot to cool growing epiphyte
from eastern Papua New Guinea where it grows on tree fern and shady tree
trunks in mossy forests at 300-1,900m. It has clustered, spherical to
spindle-shaped, purple, olive-yellow or glossy green pseudobulbs with
3 to 4 nodes below oval, leathery, spreading, 2 to 3 apical leaves. Flowering
throughout the year, short, wiry, erect or pendant inflorescences arising
from the apex of old and new canes carry 2 to 6 white often marked with
pink on the column flowers in a cluster. The flowers are long-lasting,
are
sometimes fragrant and can be produced on very small plants.
Dendrobium aberrans on slab mount
Photo
source:
Its common name is the Deviating Dendrobium, and the synonym in
use is Sayeria aberrans (Schltr.) Rauschert 1983.
Dendrobium alexandrae Schltr. 1912 SECTION Latouria
Found in Papua New Guinea as a medium to large sized, cool growing epiphyte
on high branches of moss-covered trees in lower montane and cool mist
forests at 900-1,200m in high light, exposed positions. Andre Millar says
that often she found this species in the highest trees in the forest.
The canes carry 2 to 3 apical, elliptic, bluish-green, erect or spreading
leaves. Autumn flowering occurs on axillary, racemose, laxly, several
flowered inflorescences arising from the nodes at the apex of the pseudobulb.
The flowers are predominantly white with heavy spotting on the sepals
and petals with a large pronounced lip coloured red and green. This species
was once thought to be lost, or perhaps a hybrid of Dendrobium spectabile,
but fortunately, recent rediscovery of substantial populations in some
locations has revealed that this is not so.
Its common name is Alexandra's Dendrobium named after Schlechter's
wife. Synonyms in use are Latourea alexandrae [Schltr.] Breiger
1981; Latourorchis alexandre [Schltr.] Breiger 1981; Sayeria
alexandrae (Schltr.) Rauschert 1983
Dendrobium atroviolaceum Rolfe 1890 SECTION
Latouria
Found in Papua New Guinea and surrounding islands at 200-800m, Dendrobium
atroviolaceum is a medium sized, hot to warm growing epiphyte on large
tree trunks in rainforest. Andre Millar writes that this species was still
plentiful on the island of New Ireland in light forests, although was
much less plentiful on the mainland where many thousands had been taken
from the wild by collectors for the British and German nurseries before
1900. It is also found in Irian Jaya in the Cyclops Mountains near Jayapura.
The average day temperature is 24-28°C and night 20-22°C throughout
the year, a daily variance of only 4-6°C, while the relative humidity
is always 70-80%.
It has a clavately-fusiform, deeply sulcate, greenish when young, brownish with age stem carrying 2 to 4 apical, ovate-oblong, thick, coriaceous, obtusely obtuse apically, dark green above and paler below leaves. Flowering throughout the year, although most often in autumn through spring, 6-8 long-lasting (up to 3 months) fragrant, heavy textured nodding flowers are borne on short axillary racemes arising from just below or at the apex of new or older canes. Photo source:
Its common name is the Black Blood-Red Dendrobium, and synonyms
in use are
Dendrobium eustachyum Schlechter 1923; Dendrobium macgregorii
F.Muell. & Kraenzl. 1894; Latourea atroviolacea [Rolfe] Breiger
1981; Latourorchis atroviolacea [Rolfe] Breiger 1981; Sayeria
atroviolacea (Rolfe) Rauschert 1983;
Dendrobium bifalce Lindl. 1843 SECTION Latouria
is found in the Lesser Sunda Islands, Moluccas, the Bismark Islands, New
Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Queensland in coastal or riverine forests
at sea-level to 800m where it grows in rainforests on trees and boulders
in brightly lit, 
humid
environments. It is a small sized, hot growing epiphyte with stout, apically
thickening, 5 to 7 noded stems carrying 2 to 4, coriaceous, suberect,
elliptic-oblong, obtuse leaves. Flowering in autumn and winter, up to
10 small fleshy flowers are borne on terete, stout inflorescences with
distinct triangular-ovate, apiculate floral bracts.
Photo
source:
Plants are often bleached yellowish green by the sun. Andree Millar wrote
that this species "is the most common of all Latoureas, and
one of the most common orchids in the New Guinea lowlands". She says
that they collected large clumps of plants in the 1970s, sometimes with
as many as 100 or more plants in the clump. She noted that the flower
colour varied from apple green with purple streaks to brownish green.
Synonyms in use are Bulbophyllum oncidiochilum
Kraenzl. 1894; Callista bifalcis (Lindl.) Kuntze 1891; Dendrobium
breviracemosum F.M.Bailey 1899; Dendrobium chloropterum Rchb.f.
& S.Moore 1878; Doritis bifalcis (Lindl.) Rchb.f. 1860; Latourea
oncidiochila (Kraenzl.) Kraenzl. 1894; Leioanthum bifalce (Lindl.)
M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones 2002;
Sayeria bifalcis (Lindl.) Rauschert 1983. Its common name is the
Two Sickles Dendrobium, and in Australia it is known as the Native
Bee Orchid.
Dendrobium convolutum Rolfe 1906 SECTION Latouria
is found in northern Papua New Guinea at sea level to 650m as hot to warm
growing epiphyte in rainforests near the 
coast.
It is a small sized species with yellow stems that have 4-5 nodes beneath
3 apical, elliptic-lanceolate leaves. Flowering in late spring and early
summer, 2-4 long-lasting flowers are borne on 8-12 cm axillary, suberect,
racemose inflorescences arising from the apex of leafless canes and below
the leaves on canes carrying leaves. Photo
source:
The flowers of Dendrobium convolutum resemble those of Dendrobium
macrophyllum but are smaller, distinctively coloured, lack any hairs
on the outer surface and have a distinctive callus on the lip. The species
was originally described by Rolfe from a plant sent to him by F. Sander
which arrived with plants of Dendrobium atroviolaceum. As the latter is
found only in Milne Bay Province, this may well be the type locality of
Dendrobium convolutum as well. The flowers of Dendrobium convolutum
resemble those of Dendrobium macrophyllum but are smaller, distinctively
coloured, lack any hairs on the outer surface and have a distinctive callus
on the lip. Its common name is the Convoluted Dendrobium, and the
synonym in use is Sayeria convoluta (Rolfe) Rauschert 1983.
Dendrobium engae T.M. Reeve 1979 SECTION Latouria while only relatively recently described is widespread throughout highland Papua New Guinea where it can be found growing epiphytically on larger branches of Nothofagus trees growing in montane forests on ridges at over 2000m, although is also known to grow up to 3,500m.
It is cool-cold growing species with stout, erect, yellowish, 10 noded pseudobulbs carrying 3 to 5 apical, spreading to suberect, thick, leathery, oblong, glossy, dark green leaves with a rounded apices. Flowering in late spring, few to many wide open, long-lasting, sweetly scented flowers are borne on 25cm inflorescences. The flowers have cream-white sepals; greenish white petals and a labellum that is greenish yellow or yellow, heavily spotted maroon on midlobe and veined maroon on side-lobes with white callus. When first open, it is a translucent green colour that becomes cream over a few days. Its common name is the Enga Dendrobium named after the Papua New Guinea province. While not endangered, this species like many others in Papua New Guinea is under threat from deforestation.
Dendrobium eximium Schltr. 1906 SECTION Latouria is found in Papua New Guinea and Irian Jaya. In northern Papua New Guinea, they grow on mossy trees in montane forests on the slopes of the Torricella Department both north and south at 600 m., and in Irian Jaya in the mountains of Went at 400 m. These regions experience year-round rain and high humidity, and this medium sized species is a hot to warm growing epiphyte found on moss covered trees. Canes have up to 5 nodes below 2 apical, oblong, spreading leaves. Flowering in spring and in autumn on few to many flowered racemose inflorescences that arise from nodes near the apex of the canes, it has 2-7 large, 4.5-7.6 cm showy flowers. The white flowers sometimes have yellow petals of outer whorl, and on the lower side, are covered with hairs. The inner whorls are very wide. The side plots of the curved lip are decorated with lilac, purple or red-brown stripes, and are curved around the spine. Dendrobium eximium has the largest flowers of all the setose species of section Latouria. In flower colour and petal shape it closely approaches Dendrobium forbesii but differs in its broader petals, sepals which are much more hairy on their outer surfaces and lateral sepals which lack lamellate keels on their mid veins. The lip also differs in having broader side-lobes and a smaller apiculate midlobe. The mentum (chin-like projection consisting of the column foot and the bases of the lateral sepals) is reminiscent of that of Dendrobium finisterrae.
It is also similar to Dendrobium rhodistichum
but differs by the hairs found on the exterior of the sepals.
Photo
source:
Its common name is the Extraordinary Dendrobium. Synonyms in use
are Dendrobium bellum J.J. Sm. 1910; Dendrobium wollastonii
Ridl. 1916; Sayeria eximia (Schltr.) Rauschert 1983
Dendrobium finisterrae Schltr. 1912 SECTION Latouria Found in Papua and New Guinea as a large sized, cool to cold growing epiphyte found on moss covered trees in mist forests at 900-2,100m. The clustered, somewhat flattened, orange yellow canes carry 2 to 3, oblong-elliptic, suberect leaves. This species flowers in winter, spring and summer on erect 8-10 flowered inflorescences arising from near the apex of the canes with faintly fragrant flowers. In common with other species in this section, the flowers do not open widely and are often facing downwards. The incurved rather nose-like mentum, very hairy sepals and hook-like ligule on the column foot serve to distinguish Dendrobium finisterrae from the other species with hairy ovaries. It is probably most closely allied to Dendrobium eximium, both having a similarly shaped mentum, but in the latter the petals are very much larger than the dorsal sepal and are unspotted. The flowers of Dendrobium finisterrae have smaller creamy petals spotted towards the base and its flowers do not open at all widely. Dendrobium finisterrae var. polystictum has more intense spots and colouration.
Its common Name is the End Of The World Dendrobium [Finisterre
Mountains of New Guinea]. Synonyms in use are Dendrobium melanolasium
Gilli 1980 publ. 1983; Sayeria finisterrae (Schltr.) Rauschert
1983
Dendrobium forbesii Ridl. 1886 SECTION Latouria comes from eastern Papua and New Guinea where it can be found in in moist, mossy, open mountain rainforest valleys at 900-1,500m. It is a medium sized, warm to cool growing epiphyte with basally slender, clavate, orange stems carrying 2 apical, elliptic-oblong leaves. Flowering in summer through to early winter, the flowers are borne on long, erect racemes with long acuminate floral bracts. The inflorescence arises from between the leaves at the apex of a new growth and carries 7-20 fragrant, long-lasting flowers. The backside of the sepals and ovaries are covered with fine hairs.
Dendrobium forbesii is recognised as one the
most attractive in the Latouria section. The flower colour is variable
with some forms very white and others with more light green or cream tones.
Schlechter identified Dendrobium forbesii var. praestans which
he believed was larger than the form described by Ridley. Dendrobium
forbesii is readily recognised by its broad petals, sepals which are
almost glabrous and lateral sepals with a broad lacerate keel on the mid-vein.
Its common name Forbes' Dendrobium is named for an 1800's English
Orchid collector. Synonyms in use are Dendrobium ashworthiae O'Brien 1901;
Dendrobium eustachyum Schltr. 1923; Dendrobium forbesii
var. praestans Schltr. 1912; Latourea forbesii [Ridl.] Breiger
1981; Latourorchis forbesii [Ridl.] Breiger 1981; Sayeria eustachya
(Schltr.) Rauschert 1983; Sayeria forbesii (Ridl.) Rauschert
1983 Ridl.
Dendrobium johnsoniae F. Muell. 1882 SECTION Latouria is
a lowland Papua New Guinea, Irian Jaya and Bougainville Island species
found at 500-1,500m as a small to medium sized, warm to cool growing epiphyte
on montane forest Casuarina and Araucaria trees in high
light along streams and gullies. This species has narrow fusiform (spindle
shaped - widest in the middle tapering to both ends) to 9 noded, purple
brown or green stems carrying to 4, suberect, ovate, bilobed apically
leaves. Flowering in autumn and winter (although secondary flowering can
take place throughout the year) on 30cm erect, several to many lowered
inflorescences carry long-lasting, pleasantly fragrant flowers arising
from the nodes near the apex of both leafed and leafless canes. Some early
records that showed this species as occurring in Northern Australia have
been shown to be erroneous.
Cribb, P. says Dendrobium johnsoniae is allied
to Dendrobium rhodostictum and Dendrobium otaguroanum but
is readily distinguished by its pure white flowers veined with purple-red
on the side-lobes only, its rhombic petals and an elongate lip with a
lanceolate midlobe.
Photo
source:
Its common name, Johnson's Dendrobium is named after the daughter
of an 1800's New South Wales Pastor.
Synonyms in use are Dendrobium macfarlanei Rchb. f. 1882; Dendrobium monodon Kraenzl. 1910; Dendrobium niveum Rolfe 1891; Latourorchis johnsoniae {F. Meuller] Breiger 1981 and Sayeria johnsoniae (F. Muell.) Rauschert 1983
Dendrobium x 'kips special' is a natural hybrid between Dendrobium rhodostictum and Dendrobium ruginosum, and, according to Laverack, Harris and Stocker 2000, can be found growing on trees along roadside cuttings on the road to Panguna mine, Bougainville at 1,200-2,000m in constantly wet climatic conditions. A small plant, it has large, long-lasting (up to 3 months) flowers and grows well in cultivation. Unfortunately, I could not find any photos of this natural hybrid that I was confident are correct.
Dendrobium macrophyllum A. Richard 1834 (not Lindley or Ames) SECTION
Latouria is a widely distributed species found in Java, Lesser
Sunda Islands, Moluccas, the Philippines, Sulawesi, Irian Jaya, Papua
New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia, Samoa, Santa Cruz, Vanuatu
and the Caroline Islands. A medium to large sized, hot to cool growing
epiphytic species, it can be found in habitats ranging from hot coastal
primary to cool montane forests from sea-level to 1,700m.
This species has ribbed, slightly flattened, slender
basal and thicker upper stems carrying 2-4, large, persistent leaves.
Flowering
from spring to late summer, erect 15-40 cm racemes arising from the leaf
axils at the apex of the leafed canes carry up to 25 heavy textured, colour
variable, delicately fragrant long-lasting flowers. This species grows
into large clumps over time in its native habitat.
In
situ photo source:
Dendrobium macrophyllum is the most widespread species in Section
Latouria, and is variable in flower size and colouration. However, it
may be readily distinguished from all allied species with setose ovaries
(covered with setae or bristles) by its usually 3-leaved pseudobulbs,
oblong-elliptic leaves, relatively narrow petals, and broad side-lobes
of the lip. The closely allied Dendrobium polysema has more widely
open flowers and tapered lip side-lobes
Its common name is the Large-Leafed Dendrobium, while in New Guinea
it is known as the Pastor's Orchid.
Many synonyms exist for this species. These include Callista gordonii
(S. Moore) Kuntze 1891; Callista macrophylla (A. Rich.) Kuntze
1891; Callista veitchiana (Lindl.) Kuntze 1891; Dendrobium brachythecum
F Mueller & Krzl. 1894; Dendrobium ferox Hassk. 1835; Dendrobium
gordoni S. Moore Ex Baker 1883; Dendrobium lucae F. Mueller
1910; Dendrobium macrophyllum var. huttonii H.J.Veitch 1873;
Dendrobium macrophyllum var. subvelutinum J.J.Sm. 1911;
Dendrobium macrophyllum var. ternatense (J.J.Sm.) P.O'Byrne
& J.J.Wood 2010; Dendrobium macrophyllum var. veitchianum
(Lindl.) Hook.f. 1867; Dendrobium musciferum Schlechter 1912; Dendrobium
palawense Schlechter 1914; Dendrobium psyche Krzl. 1910; Dendrobium
sarcostemma Teijsm. & Binn 1866; Dendrobium sarcostemma Teijsm.
& Binn. 1830; Dendrobium ternatense J.J.Sm. 1909; Dendrobium
tetrodon var. vanvuurenii J.J.Sm. 1920; Dendrobium tomohonense
Krzl. 1910; Dendrobium veitchianum Lindley 1847; Latourea macrophylla
( A.Rich.) F.G.Brieger 1981; Latourea muscifera ( Schltr. )
F.G.Brieger 1981; Latourorchis macrophylla [A.Rich.] Breiger 1981;
Latourorchis muscifera (Schltr.) F.G.Brieger 1981; Sayeria macrophylla
(A. Rich.) Rauschert 1983; Sayeria muscifera (Schltr.) Rauschert
1983; Sayeria palawensis (Schltr.) Rauschert 1983; Sayeria psyche
(Kraenzl.) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones 2002
Dendrobium polysema Schlechter 1906 SECTION Latouria is
a small to large sized, hot to cool growing epiphyte found in eastern
Papua New Guinea at 1,200-1,900m, and in the Solomon Islands, Bougainville
Island, the Santa Cruz Islands, and Vanuatu at 150-750m. This mist forest
species is found on mossy tree trunks and main branches. Erect, 3-5 noded
yellow stems carry 2 elliptical-oblong, erect to spreading leaves. Flowering
in autumn through late winter and early spring, flowers are borne on erect,
densely flowered racemes that arise from the apex of a cane. The open,
flattened heavy substance flowers are long lasting with hairy backs to
petals and sepals. Unlike some others in this Section, the flowers are
clearly separated rather than tightly bunched.
Dendrobium polysema is closely allied to the widespread Dendrobium
macrophyllum but can be readily distinguished by its two-leaved pseudobulbs,
broader elliptic leaves and the tapering side-lobes and the heavily spotted
midlobe of the lip. The flowers open more widely with the petals often
reflexed and the midlobe deflexed giving the flower a flat appearance.
Dendrobium punamense Schltr.1905 SECTION Latouria
can be found in Papua New Guinea, and Manus, New Britain, New Ireland,
Bougainville and Guadalcanal Islands. This unusual member of the Latouria
section is a miniature sized; warm growing epiphyte or occasional
lithophyte that is found in deep shade on the trunks and branches of moss
covered rainforest trees at 25 to 500m. It has erect to pendulous, 3-6
noded; green to olive green stems carrying 2, apical, oblong-lanceolate,
basally twisted leaves. Flowering in winter, the relatively short inflorescence
carries few flowers. Dendrobium punamense 
is
most closely allied to Dendrobium euryanthum; sterile specimens
of the two being indistinguishable. However, it differs in flower colour
and in lip shape, the side-lobes being as long as the midlobe.
Photo
source:
Its common name is the Punam Dendrobium. Synonyms in use are Dendrobium waterhousei Carr 1934; Sayeria punamensis (Schltr.) Rauschert 1983
Dendrobium rhodostictum F. Muell. & Kraenzl. 1894 SECTION Latouria is found from eastern Papua New Guinea to Bougainville Island as a warm to cool growing epiphyte on montane rainforest Castanopsis and Nothofagus trees or as a terrestrial on steep, wet moss covered slopes at 800-1,200m. A small to medium sized species, it has basally fusiform to apically swollen, yellow, 3-5 5 noded stems with 2-4, dark green, persistent, leathery leaves. Flowering in autumn and spring, very short racemes carry 3-8 waxy, fragrant flowers. This species is similar to Dendrobium eximium, but differs in the lack of hairs on the exterior of the sepals. The defining characteristic for Dendrobium rhodostictum is the broad lip, which is three-lobed, apiculate, difficult to flatten and that has rose-purple spots outside on the lateral margins and similar coloured stripes on the inside of the lip, both which can be seen through the reverse side. Specimens collected from New Britain have somewhat larger flowers with a more markedly three-lobed lip than those from New Guinea or Bougainville, and have pseudobulbs which are somewhat swollen along their entire length. These differences might warrant recognition at sub-species level.
Its common name is the Red-Spotted Dendrobium Synonyms in use are
Dendrobium madonnae Rolfe 1903 and Sayeria rhodosticta (F.
Muell. & Kraenzl.) Rauschert 1983.
Dendrobium shiraishii T.Yukawa & M.Nishida 1992 SECTION Latouria
can be found in western Papua New Guinea as a warm to cool growing epiphyte,
terrestrial or lithophyte in lower montane forests at 500-1,500m. It has
greenish brown, clustered, grooved stems that are apically swollen carrying,
2-4 leathery, dark green, elliptic-oblong leaves. While I did not find
published in situ flowering 
period
data, it is likely to be autumn. Terminal racemose inflorescences to 40
cm long carry several long-lasting, wide open flowers.
Photo
source:
Dendrobium shiraishii is closely related to Dendrobium macrophyllum,
from which it differs in the striking colour pattern and in the callus
which is almost forked at the apex. Only recently described and said to
be discovered by Shigeru Shiraishi, this species was known to past Dutch
residents of New Guinea. A photograph of a plant collected by Stüber
was published in 1935 in the journal De Orchidee 4: 287. More recently,
in 1973 van Bodegom illustrated and informally described this species
as a nameless variety of Dendrobium macrophyllum, recommending
that it be regarded as a new species. It differs from Dendrobium macrophyllum
as it has somewhat thicker, much darker stems, the inflorescence that
arises from the apex of the stem. While some authors regard it as a natural
hybrid, it has been accepted as a valid species by the RHS. Its common
name is Shiraishi's Dendrobium named after its finder, a Japanese
orchid enthusiast and author.
Dendrobium spectabile (Blume) Miq. 1859 SECTION Latouria
is the type species for the Section, and is probably the best known Latouria
Dendrobium. Found in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, Dendrobium
spectabile is a spectacular but somewhat alien-looking medium to large
sized, hot growing epiphyte living in primary rainforests, lowland swampy
forest, mangroves, lower montane forest and moss forests, or on cultivated
Coconut, Casuarina and rain trees (Samanea saman) in urban
areas at 300-2,000m although most often found from 300-500m. It can also
be found as an occasional lithophyte on rocks and as a terrestrial on
ridge tops where it can be found growing on the surface of the ground
in thick moss and peat. While this species survives exposure to high light
and hot temperatures at lower elevations, it is generally more abundant
and vigorous in cool, shady locations at higher elevations.
Semi globose (shaped like half a sphere) at the base, the up to 8 noded
stems carry 5 apex, lanceolate to ovate, coriaceous, obtuse leaves. This
species flowers in winter and early spring on axillary 20- 40cm few to
many flowered racemes with minute, oblong bracts arising near the apex
of leafed mature canes.
An albinistic form Dendrobium spectabile fma aureum is also
known.
Dendrobium spectabile is allied to Dendrobium alexandrae
but is easily recognised by the very undulate flower segments and the
longer lanceolate lip midlobe which is striped with purple rather than
being spotted. Its common name is the Grand Dendrobium.
Synonyms in use are Callista spectabilis (Blume) Kuntze 1891; Dendrobium
spectabile fma. aurea Christenson 2006; Dendrobium tigrinum
Rolfe ex Hemsl. 1891; Latourea spectabilis Blume 1849; Latourorchis
spectabile [Bl.] Breiger 1981; Sayeria spectabilis (Blume)
Rauschert 1983.
Dendrobium tapiniense T.M. Reeve 1980 SECTION Latouria is a medium to large sized, cool growing epiphyte found in a restricted area of the central highlands of Papua New Guinea at 1,500 to 2,000m. This species can be found high in the branches of rainforest trees in a habitat of cool nights, warm days, constant rainfall and high humidity. It has stocky, furrowed, basally tapered noded stems carrying 2, elliptic, apical leaves. Flowering occurs on racemes that arise from the apex of the cane in mid-summer. The 10-15cm, several flowered inflorescences carry longlasting, stiff, fleshy flowers.
Dendrobium tapiniense is a most distinctive species which, in many
ways, resembles some of the species with hairy flowers such as Dendrobium
macrophyllum A.Rich. and Dendrobium finisterrae Schltr. However,
its flowers are entirely glabrous (smooth or devoid of hairs), and it
is readily recognised by its heavily spotted sepals and petals, and by
its lip which has a distinctive callus and very undulate margins. Its
common name is the Tapini Dendrobium after a town in Papua New
Guinea.
Dendrobium montis-yulei Kraenzl (previously Dendrobium terrestre J.J.Sm. 1911) SECTION Latouria can be found in Papua New Guinea and the Bismark archipelago as a small to medium sized, cool to cold growing terrestrial or epiphyte in mossy montane forests and peat bogs at 1,800-2,800m. Its habitat has bright light, high air movement and humidity year round. Clustered terete stems, 9-14 noded below the leaves that enveloped in youth by compressed sheaths carry up to 7 apical, well-spaced, shortly petiolate leaves and flower in winter, spring and autumn on terminal or sub terminal erect to spreading inflorescences carrying up to 20 variable colour ranging from orange through yellow and occasionally white flowers with distinctive floral bracts. Wood suggests along with Cribb [1983] and Szalettchko that this species is synonymous with Dendrobium montis-yulei.
Its common name and meaning is the Terrestrial Dendrobium. Synonyms
in use are Dendrobium magnificum Schltr.; Dendrobium terrestre
J.J.Sm., Bull.; Dendrobium terrestre var. sublobatum J.J.Sm.;
Dendrobium rhomboglossum var. latipetalum J.J.Sm.; Sayeria
terrestris (J.J.Sm.)
The species in Section Latouria are primarily found in New Guinea,
and many grow at high altitude. These habitats range from warm through
intermediate to cool generally depending on their elevation. Many of these
species require year-round watering and high humidity to maintain vigorous
growth. Regular application of fertiliser when temperatures permit will
encourage growth and flowering. Culture can be pots or slab mounts (provided
humidity can be maintained during hot dry summer conditions), however
plants should not be allowed to dry out for long periods. Heavy watering
is recommended to minimise salt build-up and consequent root loss. The
majority of species in this section are bright light orchids, although
additional shade may be required during summer months.
The next Section to be covered is Phalaenanthe. While only a small
number of species, the members of this Section have been widely used in
hybridisation to produce full-shaped cut flower and exhibition Dendrobium
orchids. While there is some disagreement between taxonomists as the placement
of Dendrobium williamsianum in this Section, for the time being
I will include it. Dendrobium bigibbum is the type species and
has been the most widely used in hybridising.
Dendrobium affine [Decais.] Steudel 1840 SECTION Phalaenanthe
is found in Papua New Guinea, and Timor, Seram and Tanimbar Islands and
the Northern Territory as a small to medium sized, hot growing epiphyte
from sea level to 300m in high light, moist locations adjacent to lagoons,
swamps and rainforests to the fringes with very dry habitats. It has stout,
tapered to conical pseudobulbs carrying from 2-10 leathery, ovate-lanceolate
to oblong leaves that are often decurved. Flowering in autumn through
to spring on both leafed and leafless pseudobulbs, the slender racemose
inflorescences up to 50cm in length carry successively opening long-lasting
flowers that all face the same direction. Several authors treat Dendrobium
dicuphum as synonymous with Dendrobium affine, a classification
that is consistent with the Kew Plant Science on-line listing. The alba
form is more commonly seen in cultivation, with line bred cultivars displaying
broader petals and sepals more popular than the unimproved species.
Its common name is the Similar Dendrobium. Synonyms in use are Callista affinis (Decne.) Kuntze 1891; Callista leucophota (Rchb.f.) Kuntze 1891; Dendrobium bigibbum Mueller not Lindley; Dendrobium leucolophotum Rchb.f. 1882; Dendrobium leucophotum Rchb.f. 1882; Dendrobium urvillei Finet ? *Onychium afine Decaisne 1836; Vappodes affinis (Decne.) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones 2002.
Dendrobium bigibbum Lindley 1852 SECTION Phalaenanthe. This horticulturally most important Dendrobium is the type species for the Section, and is found in Queensland and Papua and New Guinea. It is a medium to large sized, hot growing epiphyte or lithophyte that can be found in semi-arid habitats at sea level to 400m where it grows in high light. Although it is found in tropical regions, often with high summer rainfall, it is not a rainforest species but grows in exposed situations, usually attached to tree trunks such as paperbark melaleucas in savannah woodland or in vine thickets. Habitat destruction and indiscriminate harvesting by commercial plant collectors have made this species rare or extinct in some places within its range, especially in the south. The vegetative appearance of this species is highly variable but generally it has cylindrical, narrow, slightly tapering towards both ends, green or reddish purple canes carrying 3-12, ovate or lanceolate, acute leaves. Flowering from mid-summer through winter, 2-20, large, deep to pale lilac long lasting flowers are borne on axillary arching racemes that arise from nodes near the apex of both leafed and leafless canes. Albinistic forms are common, and enthusiasts have a wide variety of colours and sizes to choose from commercially available cultivars.
Photo
source:
Plants of Dendrobium bigibbum were first collected by Dr Thomson
on Mount Adolphus, a small island about 18 km north-east of Cape York.
These plants were sent to a nursery in London, and in 1852 the species
was described and named by the British botanist, John Lindley (1799-1865).
However, it appears that it does not naturally occur near Cooktown, which
is in the distribution area of the species on the Endeavour River. Dendrobium
phalaenopsis (a synonym) was described by Robert FitzGerald, Surveyor
General of New South Wales in 1880. In his description he included the
words "It was obtained near Cooktown, Queensland". In December
of the same year he published a beautiful colour plate of Dendrobium
phalaenopsis in 'Australian Orchids' with the words "obtained
in northern Queensland", which clearly illustrates the species known
as the Cooktown Orchid.
Its common name is the Cooktown Orchid, but it is also
known as the two-Humped Dendrobium and the Mauve Butterfly Orchid.
It is the floral emblem of Queensland.
Many synonyms exist, with a number in regular usage including Callista
bigibba [Lindley]Kuntze 1891; Callista phalaenopsis (Fitzg.) Kuntze
1891; Callista sumneri [ F. Muell.] Kuntze 1891; Dendrobium
bigibbum fma. compactum (C.T.White) G.Piper 1950; Dendrobium
bigibbum fma. phalaenopsis (Fitzg.) St.Cloud 1956; Dendrobium
bigibbum fma. superbium G.Piper 1950; Dendrobium bigibbum
subvar. candidum [Rchb.f.] Veitch 1888; Dendrobium bigibbum
subvar. compactum (C.T.White) St.Cloud 1956; Dendrobium bigibbum
subvar. superbum (Rchb.f.) H.J.Veitch 1887; Dendrobium bigibbum
var. albopurpuratum auct. 1895; Dendrobium bigibbum var.
album F.M.Bailey 1902; Dendrobium bigibbum var. candidum
Rchb.f. 1878; Dendrobium bigibbum var. macranthum F.M.Bailey
1895; Dendrobium bigibbum var. phalaenopsis (Fitzg.) F.M.Bailey
1883; Dendrobium bigibbum var. sumneri [F. Mueller]F.M.Bailey
1883; Dendrobium bigibbum var. superbum Rchb.f. 1878; Dendrobium
lithocola D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem. 1989; Dendrobium phalaenopsis
Fitzg. 1880; Dendrobium phalaenopsis var. albopurpureum
auct 1895; Dendrobium phalaenopsis var. album B.S.Williams
1894; Dendrobium phalaenopsis var. album auct. 1895; Dendrobium
phalaenopsis var. chamberlainianum auct. 1894; Dendrobium
phalaenopsis var. compactum C.T.White 1941; Dendrobium phalaenopsis
var. dellense B.S.Williams 1894; Dendrobium phalaenopsis
var. highburyense auct. 1894; Dendrobium phalaenopsis var.
hololeuca auct. 1895; Dendrobium phalaenopsis var. lindeniae
auct. 1902; Dendrobium phalaenopsis var. rothschildianum
Kraenzl. 1892; Dendrobium phalaenopsis var. rubescens Nash
1914; Dendrobium phalaenopsis var. schroderianum Rolfe 1891;
Dendrobium phalaenopsis var. schroederianum W.Watson 1891;
Dendrobium phalaenopsis var. splendens auct. 1906; Dendrobium
phalaenopsis var. statterianum auct. 1891; Dendrobium phalaenopsis
var. thundersleyense auct. 1905; Dendrobium sumneri F. Mueller
1867; Vappodes bigibba (Lindl.) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones 2002;
Vappodes lithocola (D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem.) M.A.Clem. &
D.L.Jones 2002; Vappodes phalaenopsis (Fitzg.) M.A.Clem. &
D.L.Jones 2002.
Dendrobium striaenopsis M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones 1989 SECTION Phalaenanthe can be found on the island of Laret in the Tanimbar Group (Lesser Sunda Islands) southwest of Irian Jaya on limestone cliffs and trees at low elevations as a large size, hot growing epiphyte or lithophyte. Long slender canes carry a few persistent leaves towards to upper quarter of the stem. This species flowers in autumn on arching, many flowered inflorescences arising from apical nodes along the cane. Flower colour is variable from deep purple through purple to white as well as bicoloured flowers. This species seems to be closely related to the Torres Strait form of Dendrobium bigibbum.
Photo
source:
Its common name is the Striate Butterfly Dendrobium, and synonyms
in use are Dendrobium bigibbum subsp. laratensis Clemesha
1978; Dendrobium bigibbum var. albomarginatum Linden 1891;
Dendrobium bigibbum var. albopurpuratum auct. 1895; Dendrobium
phalaenopsis var. schroderianum Rolfe 1891; Dendrobium phalaenopsis
var. schroederianum Rchb.f. ex W.Watson 1891; Vappodes striaenopsis
(M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones 2002.
Dendrobium x superbiens Rchb.f. 1876 SECTION Phalaenanthe
can be found in Queensland as a natural hybrid between Dendrobium bigibbum
and Dendrobium discolour. It grows as an epiphyte in dry vine forests
or a lithophyte on rock faces, often close to the ocean as a giant sized,
warm growing species. Elongate, stems carry leaves on the upper half,
and flower in in late winter and spring on erect to arching many flowered
inflorescences carrying long lasting, predominantly pink flowers.
Its common name is the Really Nice Dendrobium,
and synonyms in current use are Callista x fitzgeraldii (F.Muell.)
Kuntze 1891; Callista x superbiens (Rchb.f.) Kuntze 1891;
Dendrobium bigibbum fma. venosum (F.M.Bailey) F.M.Bailey
1902; Dendrobium bigibbum var. albomarginatum F.M.Bailey
1891; Dendrobium bigibbum var. georgei C.T.White 1936;
Dendrobium bigibbum var. superbiens (Rchb.f.) F.M.Bailey
1883; Dendrobium bigibbum var. venosum F.M.Bailey 1890;
Dendrobium x brandtiae Kraenzl. 1906; Dendrobium
x fitzgeraldii F.Muell. 1884; Dendrobium x goldiei
Rchb.f. 1878;
Dendrobium x goldiei var. karthausianum Rolfe 1910;
Dendrobium x gommeri Van Geert 1879; Dendrobium x
lavarackianum M.A.Clem. 1989; x Vappaculum lavarackianum
(M.A.Clem.) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones 2002; x Vappaculum superbiens
(Rchb.f.) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones 2002
Dendrobium williamsianum Rchb. f. 1878 SECTION Phalaenanthe
can be found in the hot dry savannah, low to 300m elevation Papua and
New Guinea habitat as medium to giant sized, hot growing epiphyte on small
trees or high in the canopy of larger trees. The environment in which
this species grows can go without rain for up to 6 months with the only
moisture coming from dew. It has slender canes that carry many, oblong,
persistent, two-ranked pale green leaves. Predominantly flowering in spring,
but throughout the 
year,
fragrant, waxy, longlasting flowers are borne on long arching, few to
several flowered inflorescences arising from the nodes near or at the
apex of the mature leafed canes. Dendrobium williamsianum is a
very distinctive relative of the famous Dendrobium bigibbum, and
is easily recognised by the high lamellae on the lip. The flowers are
held almost horizontally.
Photo
source
The final Section of the six main Dendrobium Sections is Spathulata, once again principally comprised of species from Papua New Guinea, Australia, the Pacific Islands and the Philippines. These generally large, predominantly hot lowland Dendrobium species have been widely used in hybridisation, particularly in Asia. Often found along rivers and streams on trees overhanging the water While some are highly coloured, for example Dendrobium carronii, Dendrobium cochliodes, Dendrobium lasianthera, Dendrobium lineale, Dendrobium nindii and Dendrobium taurinim, others are predominantly white, yellow, green or brown. The rich, vibrant coloured flowers of these species have strongly influenced the hybrids produced using them as parents. Given their hot and humid habitats, as well as their large size, species in this Section are less often seen in general collections although can be found in specialist collections where the required climatic conditions can be replicated. Recent hybrid breeding has been focussed on more compact growth, but retaining and enhancing the floriferous character of the species in this Section.
Dendrobium antennatum Lindley [Rchb.f]J.J.Sm. 1843 SECTION Spatulata
is the type species for the Section. It can be found in Queensland, Papua
New Guinea, the Solomon and surrounding islands where it is epiphytic
on high tree branches in coastal forest, mangrove swamps, savannah and
rainforests below 1,200m. It is a small to large sized, hot to cool growing
species with erect, cylindrical, basally swollen canes with coriaceous,
narrowly oblong leaves. The longlasting, fragrant summer flowers are carried
on lax, 3-15 flowered inflorescences that can be upright, horizontal or
curved and arise from nodes near the apex of the pseudobulb.
Photo
source:
Dendrobium antennatum is perhaps the most widely distributed and
best known species of Section Spatulata in cultivation. It can
be readily recognised by its intermediate-sized white flowers with green
or yellow-green erect petals and a purple-veined lip. It is most closely
allied to the similarly coloured Dendrobium stratiotes which has
much larger flowers with longer petals and to Dendrobium strepsiceros
whose flowers are of a similar size but green or greenish yellow and
with somewhat spreading petals. Dendrobium d'albertisii is considered
to be merely a shorter-petalled form of Dendrobium antennatum.
Its common name is the Antennae Dendrobium or Antelope Orchid,
and in Australia, it is known as the Green Antelope Orchid. Synonyms in
use are Callista antennata (Lindl.) Kuntze 1891; Ceratobium
antennatum (Lindl.) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones 2002; Ceratobium
dalbertisii (Rchb.f.) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones 2002 ; *Dendrobium
d'albertisii Rchb.f 1878
Dendrobium canaliculatum R. Brown 1810 SECTION Spatulata
is found in northern Australia and Papua New Guinea as a miniature sized,
hot growing epiphyte on predominantly Melaleuca trees at sea level
to 500m. It has fusiform (spindle-shaped), enveloped in sheaths, sulcate
with age canes that carry 2-6 apex sub cylindrical, fleshy, grooved leaves.
Flowering from midwinter through to spring, densely many- flowered racemose
inflorescences arise from nodes near the apex of each old and new growth
and carry pleasantly fragrant flowers.
Dendrobium canaliculatum is readily recognised by its ovoid or
shortly fusiform pseudobulbs, semi-terete leaves grooved on the upper
surface and dense racemes of small flowers, 18-25 mm across, with a straight
mentum at 
a
right angle to the ovary and a lip in which the callus ridges are raised
on the midlobe. Its close ally is Dendrobium carronii which has
quite different flowers and a more restricted distribution.
Photo source:
Its common name is the Grooved Leaf Dendrobium, and in Australia,
it is known as the Brown Tea Tree Orchid. Synonyms in use are Callista
canaliculata (R. Br.) Kuntze 1891; Callista foelschei (F. Muell.)
Kuntze 1891; Callista tattoniana Kuntze 1891; Cepobaculum canaliculatum
(R.Br.) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones 2002; Cepobaculum foelschei (F.Muell.)
M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones 2002; Cepobaculum tattonianum (Bateman
ex Rchb.f.) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones 2002; Dendrobium canaliculatum
var. foelschei (F.Muell.) Rupp & T.E.Hunt 1948; Dendrobium
canaliculatum var. nigrescens Nicholls 1942; Dendrobium
canaliculatum var. pallidum Dockrill 1956; Dendrobium canaliculatum
var. tattonianum (Bateman ex Rchb.f.) Rchb.f. 1865; Dendrobium
foelschei F. Mueller 1882; Dendrobium tattonianum Bateman 1865
Photo source:
Dendrobium carronii Lavarack & P.J. Cribb 1983 SECTION Spatulata can be found in northern Australia and southern Papua New Guinea as an epiphyte on Melaleuca trees 2-4m from the ground in marshland and open forest at sea level to 500m. This species is a hot to warm growing miniature to small sized orchid with short, swollen tapering pseudobulbs that carry few purplish, thick and semi-terete leaves. Flowering in spring, 1-3 by 20cm few to several flowered erect inflorescences per growth from near the apex of the pseudobulb carry long-lasting fragrant flowers.
Dendrobium carronii resembles Dendrobium canaliculatum but its flowers are quite distinct with purple-maroon petals that are narrower, a mentum that points backwards and often curves upwards towards the apex and a bright yellow lip with a low callus of three ridges, beaded and scarcely raised at the apex, on the oblong midlobe. Its inflorescence is characteristically produced at a right angle to the pseudobulb.
Its common name is Carron's Dendrobium named after its 1800's Australian
discoverer and as the Pink Tea Tree Orchid. The synonym in use is Cepobaculum
carronii (Lavarack & P.J.Cribb) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones 2002
In the text accompanying photos of Dendrobium carronii at a web
site dedicated to Tea Tree orchids, the author says "that
In the wild, Dendrobium carronii is found on the east coast of
Cape York Peninsula (north of Cooktown) and into the Torres Strait and
southern Papua New Guinea. Records from Papua New Guinea (according to
Orchids of New Guinea) are from the Daru area (directly above the Torres
Strait) as well as the Port Morseby area. In Australia, this species does
not extend into the drier zones as does Dendrobium canaliculatum
and Dendrobium trilamellatum var. semifuscum, however still
favours highly lit and breezy locations in the higher rainfall regions.
It is reported to grow to moderately high altitudes (700m) in both Australia
and New Guinea."
He goes on to say that "Dendrobium carronii is apparently
quite common in some localities, however I have not seen many plants in
the wild. After scouting Melaleuca viridiflora forests in a number
of suitable-looking locations with no luck, I was surprised to find my
first colony growing almost into the twigs on fibrous-barked eucalypts.
The location was on the edge of a dried up waterhole. There were no Dendrobium
canaliculatum in the general area, although Dendrobium johannis
and Dockrillia rigida grew on various hosts (including Melaleuca
viridiflora) in the denser patches nearby". This site provides
some helpful advice on growing this said to be challenging species.
Photo
source:
Dendrobium carronii is classified as vulnerable due to illegal over-collecting and removal of plants.
Dendrobium cochliodes Schltr. 1912 SECTION Spatulata can be found in Papua New Guinea and Irian Jaya as a large sized, hot to cool growing epiphyte in mist forests on the high branches of often solitary exposed trees near water at 400-2,000m. The erect sturdy canes carry 4 to 6, oblong to elliptic, 2 ranked leaves at the apex. This species flowers in spring, summer and autumn on axillary, erect to arching, 20-35cm] several to many flowered inflorescences that arise from nodes near the apex of the cane.
Photo
source:
This species is one of the few in the Section Spatulata recorded
from the montane zone. Dendrobium cochliodes is allied to Dendrobium
tangerinum but differs in its flower colour which is yellow usually
with glossy chocolate-brown petals, the latter being linear, acute and
spirally twisted three or four times. The midlobe of the lip is also distinctive
being narrowly oblong, apiculate, and almost half the lip in length. The
side-lobes of the lip curve outwards and like Dendrobium conanthum
bear rugulose ridges at right angles to the veins on the upper surface.
In flower colour, these species might also be confused but the callus
ridges of Dendrobium cochliodes always taper to the apex.
Its common name is the Shell-Like Dendrobium, and synonyms in use
are Dendrobium ruidilobum J.J. Sm. 1934; Durabaculum cochliodes
(Schltr.) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones 2002; Durabaculum ruidilobum
(J.J.Sm.) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones 2002
Dendrobium discolor Lindley 1841 SECTION Spatulata is the
tallest of the Australian Dendrobium species. Three varietal forms
are recognised, with one of these highly variable in size and colour.
This species is found in Queensland and New Guinea where it grows as a
warm to hot epiphyte or lithophyte in exposed, high light conditions on
the coastal strip in mangroves or behind sand dunes often subject to salt
spray, and on rock faces to 550m. It has few to numerous, cylindrical
stems, leafed in the upper two thirds with distichous, ovate to elliptic,
leathery, obtuse leaves. Flowering occurs throughout the year with the
major flush in spring on axillary, arched, to 60 cm densely fragrant flowered
racemes arising from the upper portion of mature canes as the new growth
arises. The variation in Dendrobium discolor seems more or less
continuous rather than disjunct and it is probable that the recognition
of so many distinct varieties is unwarranted. However, according to O'Byrne
(1994) the entity that is popularly known as 'Rigo Twist' may deserve
recognition as a variety or even as a distinct species.
Dendrobium discolour - Dendrobium discolour var. broomfieldii
Photos
source:
Dendrobium discolor is a distinctive orchid likely only to be confused
with Dendrobium conanthum, which also often has a rather convoluted
flower. It can be readily distinguished from the latter, by its long-acuminate
bracts and flowers in which the sepals and petals usually have undulate-crisped
margins and the lip which has a five-ridged callus, a very small midlobe
with upcurved sides and side lobes which are usually incurved and not
rugulose (finely wrinkled) on the upper surface.
Its common name is the 2 Different Colour Dendrobium. In Papua
New Guinea it is known as Moresby Gold, Rigo Twist and Bensbach Yellow,
while in Australia, as the Golden Antler Orchid, the Brown Antler Orchid
and the Canary Orchid. Synonyms in use are Callista undulatum [R.
Br.] Kuntze 1891; Dendrobium arachnanthe Kraenzl. 1910; Dendrobium
broomfieldii [Fitz.]Fitzgerald 1888; Dendrobium discolor fma.
broomfieldii (Fitzg.) Dockrill 1964; Dendrobium discolor subsp.
incurvata Liddle & P.I.Forst. 1990; Dendrobium discolor var.
broomfieldii (Fitzg.) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones 1989; Dendrobium
discolor var. fimbrilabium (Rchb.f.) Dockrill 1964; Dendrobium
discolor var. fuscum (Fitzg.) Dockrill 1964; Dendrobium
elobatum Rupp 1953; Dendrobium fuscum Fitzg. 1879; Dendrobium
undulans Bakh.f. 1963 ; Dendrobium undulatum R. Brown 1810;
Dendrobium undulatum var. albertisianum F.Muell. 1875; Dendrobium
undulatum R. Br. var. broomfieldii Fitz. 1888; Dendrobium
undulatum R. Br. Var. carterae 1911; Dendrobium undulatum
var. fimbrilabium Rchb.f. 1878; Durabaculum albertisiana
(F.Muell.) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones 2002; Durabaculum arachnanthe
(Kraenzl.) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones 2002; Durabaculum fimbrilabium
(Rchb.f.) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones 2002; Durabaculum fuscum (Fitzg.)
M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones 2002; Durabaculum undulatum M.A.Clem.
& D.L.Jones 2002; Durabaculum undulatum var. broomfieldii
M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones 2002
Dendrobium discolour in situ Photo source:
Dendrobium gouldii Rchb. f. 1867 SECTION Spatulata can be
found in the Bismarck Archipelago and the Solomon Islands as a large to
giant sized, hot to warm growing epiphyte growing in exposed positions
on isolated trees in 
riverine
forests, coastal forest, swamp forests and plantations, or as a lithophyte
on coral cliffs on beaches at sea-level to 700m. It has clustered, fusiform,
many-noded, green stems carrying a few distichous, coriaceous, purple
suffused in youth, obtuse leaves. Flowering in autumn on erect, to 70cm,
axillary, racemose, several to many flowered inflorescences arising from
the upper nodes on mature leafy canes. It is a highly variable species
with several colour forms known ranging from brown through gold, white
and blue.
Dendrobium gouldii blue cultivar
Photo
source:
Dendrobium gouldii alba
Photos
source
Dendrobium gouldii which is not known from the island of New Guinea
itself has often been confused with Dendrobium lineale. The former
has longer, more twisted, subacute petals and a longer lip with an obovate
midlobe bearing rather acute lamellae at the apex of the callus. The latter
has shorter, more spathulate, rounded, half-twisted petals and a shorter
lip with an oblong midlobe, undulate margins and blunter erose lamellae.
Its common name is Gould's Dendrobium after the middle name of
one of Veitch's 1800's English orchid breeders. Synonyms in common use
are Callista gouldii (Rchb. f.) Kuntze 1891; Dendrobium gouldii
var. acutum Rchb.f. 1867; Dendrobium imthurnii Rolfe
1912; Dendrobium undulatum var. woodfordianum Maiden 1899;
Dendrobium
woodfordianum Schltr. 1912; Durabaculum gouldii (Rchb.f.) M.A.Clem.
& D.L.Jones 2002; Durabaculum imthurnii (Rolfe) M.A.Clem. &
D.L.Jones 2002
Dendrobium helix P.J. Cribb 1980 SECTION Spatulata
is a large to giant sized, hot growing epiphyte found in New Guinea where
it grows on exposed branches of coastal forest trees at sea-level -150m.
This plant has clustered, basally swollen and apically tapering yellow
orange stems. These stems carry many, elliptic to ovate-elliptic leaves
that are smaller towards the apex. Flowering throughout the year, flowers
are borne 50cm erect, ascending or horizontal racemes arising from leaf
sheaths at the apex of upper leaf nodes of mature canes. Each raceme can
carry 15-20 stiff, fleshy flowers.
Dendrobium helix is one of the larger-flowered and most attractive
species in sect. Spatulata. It is a variable orchid particularly
in its flower colour, attitude and the degree of twisting of the petals.
However, it is readily characterised by the lip which has a small recurved
midlobe, side lobes that spread widely at the apex and a violet or lilac
callus of three ridges. Its common names are the Corkscrew Orchid and
the Twisted Petal
Dendrobium. A synonym in use is Durabaculum helix (P.J.Cribb)
M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones, Orchadian 13: 488 (2002
Dendrobium johannis Rchb.f 1865 SECTION Spatulata
is a small to large sized, hot to warm growing epiphytic species found
in North Eastern Australia and Papua New Guinea in rainforests and wetlands.
These environments endure scarce winter rain and are always subject to
high light. This species has densely clustered, brown, unevenly swollen
pseudobulbs carrying 3-8 dark green, tough, thick sharply pointed leaves.
Blooming from autumn through winter and into spring, waxy, glossy, fragrant
long-lasting flowers are borne 15- 50 cm 2-20 flowered, racemose inflorescences
arising from nodes at the apex of leafy and leafless canes.
Dendrobium johannis and the similar Dendrobium trilamellatum
can be readily distinguished by their rather dwarf habit, fusiform stems
bearing a few linear-lanceolate leathery leaves towards the apex, and
their small yellowish or brownish flowers. The former can be readily distinguished
by its generally smaller stature and flowers which have chocolate-brown
to purplish brown sepals and petals.
Its common name is Johan's Dendrobium after John Gould Veitch and
in Australia is known as the Chocolate Tea Tree Orchid. Synonyms in use
are Callista johannis (Rchb. f.) Kuntze 1891; Cepobaculum johannis
(Rchb.f.) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones 2002; Dendrobium undulatum
R. Br. var. johannis [Rchb.f]F.M.Bailey 1883
Dendrobium lasianthera J.J.
Sm 1932 SECTION Spatulata is another large sized, hot growing epiphyte
found in lowland Papua New Guinea forests. These damp, humid river and
stream locations from sea level have constantly high humidity. The erect
stems carry coriaceous, emarginate, alternate leaves along the full length.
Flowering from spring through autumn, up to 60cm racemes carry10-30 showy,
long-lasting flowers arising from the nodes near the apex of mature leafy
canes.
While Dendrobium lasianthera is one of the finest species in sect.
Spatulata, it is generally considered to be a difficult species in cultivation.
Easily recognized by the spirally twisted petals in combination with the
relatively very small, apiculate midlobe of the lip, it has several colour
forms, the best known of which are May River Red and Sepik River Blue
although the latter does not grow along the Sepik River itself, and is
not blue. Its common name is the Wooly Pollina Dendrobium . Synonyms
in use are Dendrobium lasiantherum; Dendrobium ostrinoglossum
Rupp. 1953; Dendrobium stueberi Hort., Stuber ex Zurrow 1934; Durabaculum
lasiantherum (J.J.Sm.) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones 2002
Dendrobium
lasianthera Sepik River Blue
Dendrobium lasianthera May River Red
Dendrobium lineale Rolfe 1889 SECTION Spatulata is another
large to giant sized, hot to warm growing epiphyte or lithophyte from
Papua New Guinea found along streams and ocean fringes at sea-level -800m.
This species has typical erect, cane-like stems that are leafy towards
the apex, and carry many, oblong or lanceolate, rigid, leathery, persistent,
dark green leaves. A very floriferous species, Dendrobium lineale
has many flowered, up to 90cm racemes carrying brightly coloured fragrant,
long-lived and heavy-textured flowers from spring to early autumn. The
flower racemes arise from nodes at or near the apex of the mature leafed
canes.
Dendrobium lineale is closely allied to, and often confused with
Dendrobium gouldii, a species from the Bismarck Archipelago and
the Solomon Islands. It differs in its shorter, less twisted spathulate
petals with obtuse, rounded or truncate tips and a lip in which the midlobe
is oblong with an undulate margin and rather oblong raised lamellae on
its upper surface. Its flowers are usually white with white, bluish, lilac
or pink petals and a purple- or violet-veined lip. However, pale yellow-flowered
forms have been recorded although this may be the result of introgression
from the closely allied and sympatric Dendrobium sylvanum.
Its common name is Morobe Shower. Synonyms in use are Callista veratrifolia
(Lindl.) Kuntze 1891; Dendrobium augustae-victoriae Kraenzl. 1894;
Dendrobium cogniauxianum Kraenzl. ex Warb. 1891; Dendrobium
grantii C.T.White 1940; Dendrobium imperatrix Kraenzl. 1895;
Dendrobium veratroides Bakh.f. 1963; Dendrobium veratrifolium
Lindl. non Roxb. 1843; Durabaculum veratrifolium M.A.Clem. &
D.L.Jones 2002
Dendrobium mirbelianum Gaudich 1829 SECTION Spatulata is yet another Queensland, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Bismarck Islands, Moluccas, and Sulawesi as a medium to giant sized epiphyte. Found in coastal lowland forests and swamps as an epiphyte on mangroves and other coastal trees, or as a lithophyte on exposed rock outcrops in savannah at sea-level to 650m, this species grows in high humidity and bright light. The basally swollen, cane-like and leafy stems carry many, oval to ovate, thick, leathery, dark green purple striped leaves. Flowering takes place on terminal or axillary racemes 20-45 cm long that are horizontal to gracefully arching with 10 to 30 flowers on each. The flowers are glossy and heavy textured. Flowering takes place on old leafless or leafy mature canes throughout the year and often more than once. An unusual feature of the species are two flowering typologies, the first self-incompatible, with flowers lasting up to 2 months, the second self-impollinating, with flowers that last no more than 2-3 days or do not open at all. This is known as cleistogamy.
Photo
source:
Dendrobium mirbelianum is a widespread and variable orchid particularly
in flower size. It is closely related to the Moluccan Dendrobium calophyllum
and possibly also to Dendrobium tokai from Fiji and Tonga but
can be distinguished by its ochre or brownish-yellow sepals and petals
and lip with broad side-lobes and an ovate-elliptic acute midlobe half
the length of the lip. The callus ridges on the lip are scarcely raised
towards the apex and taper out on the apical half of the midlobe.
Habitat
Photo source:
Its common name is Mirbel's Dendrobium after a French botanist
of the 1800's. In Australia, it is known as the Mangrove
Orchid and the Dark-Stemmed Antler Orchid.
Synonyms in use are Callista mirbelliana (Gaudich.) Kuntze 1891;
Dendrobium aruanum Kranzlin 1910; Dendrobium buluense Schlechter
1912; Dendrobium buluense var. kauloense Schlechter 1912;
Dendrobium giuliorietti Bailey 1883; Dendrobium giulianettii
F.M. Bailey 1883; Dendrobium polycarpum Rchb.f 1883; Dendrobium
prionochilum F. Muell. & Kraenzl. ex Kraenzl. 1894; Dendrobium
rosenbergii Teijsm. & Binn. 1862; Dendrobium wilkianum
Rupp 1941; Durabaculum mirbelianum (Gaudich.) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones
2002; Durabaculum prionochilum (F.Muell. & Kraenzl.) M.A.Clem.
& D.L.Jones 2002
Dendrobium nindii W. Hill 1874 SECTION Spatulata is found
in north-eastern Australia and sporadically in Papua New Guinea growing
in mangrove thickets in hot steamy low lying coastal swamps at sea-level
to 200m. It is another large to giant sized, hot growing epiphyte with
basally swollen, tapering towards the apex canes with blackish brown with
purple stripes and 5-15 dark green, elliptic to ovate, alternating, rigid
leaves on upper-half. In its natural habitat, this species grows in high
light and at times is soaked with salt spray as they inhabit trees overhanging
the sea. Flowering takes place through summer and early autumn on 40 cm
erect, racemose, 8-25 flowered inflorescences. The flowers are fragrant
and long-lasting, and the racemes arise from the upper nodes of the cane.
This species needs bright sunlight to initiate blooming and can often
be found high in the mangrove canopy. This species has considerable colour
variation ranging from pale creamy pink to the more usual strikingly coloured
form pictured below.
Photo
source:
Dendrobium nindii is a large and attractively flowered orchid,
and according to Cribb, it is most closely related to the Philippine species
Dendrobium taurinum but can be distinguished by its flower colour
and lip on which the callus ridges taper to the apex on the midlobe.
Its common name is Nind's Dendrobium after an Australian species
orchid collector, and as the Blue Antler Orchid. Synonyms in use are Dendrobium
ionoglossum Schlechter 1912; Dendrobium ionoglossum var.
pomatophilum Schltr. 1912; Dendrobium jofftii T.Durand &
B.D.Jacks. 1902; Dendrobium tofftii F.M.Bailey 1890; Durabaculum
ionoglossum (Schltr.) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones 2002; Durabaculum
nindii (W.Hill) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones 2002
Dendrobium stratiotes Rchb. f. 1886 SECTION
Spatulata can be found in western Papua New Guinea, the Moluccas,
the Sunda Islands and Sulawesi at low elevations as a medium to large
sized, hot to warm growing epiphyte. It is distinguished by clustered,
terete to long fusiform stems carrying 5 or more rigid, leathery, persistent,
obliquely bilobed apical leaves. Flowering in summer and autumn, an erect
to sub erect 7.5-30 cm, inflorescence with tubular, subacute to obtuse
floral bracts carries 4-15, large flowers. The flower racemes arise from
the middle to the apex of mature pseudobulbs.
Dendrobium stratiotes has flowers that can measure as much as 10
cm from top to bottom. While it is clearly related to Dendrobium antennatum
and 
Dendrobium
leporinum, it differs from the former in having flowers of a larger
size with larger segments and a lip in which the midlobe is half the total
length of the lip and acuminate. Its flowers are also larger than those
of Dendrobium leporinum and distinctively coloured with yellow-green
or green rather than violet petals.
Photo
source:
Its common name is the Stalwart Dendrobium referring to the flowers
standing up in a row with the sepals all upright. Synonyms in use are
Callista stratiotes (Rchb.f.) Kuntze 1891; Ceratobium stratiotes
(Rchb.f.) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones 2002; Dendrobium strebloceras
Rchb.f 1886 var. rossianum
Dendrobium tangerinum P.J.Cribb 1980 SECTION Spatulata is
a small to large sized, hot to cool growing Papua New Guinea species generally
found as a epiphyte in lowlands small trees or as a lithophyte on cliff
faces on rocks at sea-level to 1,250m. The species has erect, cane-like
basally slightly swollen stems carrying many leathery leaves on the upper
half of the stem. Flowering throughout the year, 35-45 cm sheathed inflorescences
carry to 20 flowers and arise from nodes near the apex of leafy canes.
The flowers are long-lasting. Wild populations of this have suffered through
over-collecting and it is now uncommon in its former habitat
Dendrobium tangerinum has in the past been misidentified as Dendrobium strepsiceros and is allied to Dendrobium cochliodes, but differs in its characteristic orange flowers and the incurved side lobes, short ovate, acute midlobe and low lilac callus of the lip. It differs from Dendrobium helix in that it lacks the conspicuous stelidia on the column of that species.
Photo source:
Its common name is the Tangerine Coloured Dendrobium. Synonyms
in use include Ceratobium strepsiceros (J.J.Sm.) M.A.Clem. &
D.L.Jones 2002; Dendrobium strepsiceros J.J. Sm. 1912; Durabaculum
tangerinum (P.J.Cribb) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones 2002
Dendrobium taurinum Lindl. 1843 SECTION Spatulata is found
in the Philippines growing in coastal mangrove swamps and open woody plateaus
below 300m with high year-round rainfall. It is another large sized (up
to 2 m 
tall),
hot growing epiphyte with cane-like, erect, cylindrical or strongly spindle-shaped
brown orange stems with many, dark, shiny green, thick, leathery leaves.
Flowering on 10cm more than a metre long in spring, few-to many flowered
axillary, erect, slightly fractiflex inflorescences arise from near the
apex of the cane. The flowers are long lasting
Photo source:
Its common Name is the Bull Headed Dendrobium, and synonyms in
use are Callista taurina (Lindl.) Kuntze 1891; Dendrobium taurinum
fma. alba Valmayor & Tiu 1984; Dendrobium taurinum var.
amboinense Rolfe 1897; Durabaculum amboinense (Rolfe) M.A.Clem.
& D.L.Jones 2002; Durabaculum taurinum (Lindl.) M.A.Clem. &
D.L.Jones 2002
To conclude this article, I feel that it will be of interest to discuss
a few of the less commonly cultivated species from sect Calyptrochilus,
some of which however are quite spectacular and hold particular attraction
for the serious hobbyist prepared and able to create the specialised environmental
conditions necessary to grow and flower these often high altitude species.
A few of the species that will be covered in this final section are:
Dendrobium cutherbertsonii
Dendrobium cyanocentrum
Dendrobium laevifoloium
Dendrobium lawesii
Dendrobium parvulum
Dendrobium vexillarus
Dendrobium violaceum
Dendrobium cuthbertsonii F. Mueller 1888 SECTION Calyptrochilus
is a miniature, high altitude species found in Papua New Guinea and Irian
Jaya as a mossy tree growing, miniature epiphyte or lithophyte on moss
covered rocks adjacent to streams or as a terrestrial on generally east-facing
cliffs in leaf litter sheltered by small plants in exposed sun conditions.
This species may be found from 750-3,500m, generally growing in cool to
cold conditions with constant humidity, frequent rain (although not daily)
and high air movement, especially along mountain ridges. Maximum daytime
temperature is 25°C with minimum night temperatures of 5°C. Wolfgang
H. Bandisch writes that "Along the road from the Ambua
Lodge to the Tari Gap one can clearly observe the terrestrial habit of
the species. It grows abundantly in full sun on road cuttings nearly devoid
of any other plants with its roots buried up to 8 cm in the clay soil.
The sight is spectacular as the bright 'electric' red colour starkly contrasts
with the drab surroundings. Venturing off the road on to the embankments
one can find Dendrobium cuthbertsonii growing in the bare soil
along the forest edge, often as the only vegetation on the ground. In
some places it is nearly impossible not to step on them because of the
sheer numbers present. The embankments on the side of the road are often
so well-drained that even mosses find it hard to establish themselves
in that environment." This highly desirable, but difficult to grow
species was popularised in Australia by Gerald McCraith who was able to
grow and flower this species.
It is characterised by clustered, very short, fusiform stems carrying
lanceolate, rough textured, dark green, purple veined 'warty' leaves.
Free-flowering year round, solitary flowers are borne on axillary, short,
single flowered inflorescences. The highlight of this species are the
brightly coloured flowers, most commonly red but with any combination
of red and yellow in the sepals and petals or labellum, pink, combinations
of pink and white in the sepals and petals and from selective breeding,
yellow.
Photo
source:
Cultivation of Dendrobiumcuthbertsonii in climates other than its
natural habitat has proven to be challenging. Mounting on tree-fern slabs
as well pot culture has been successful, although it seems that plants
eventually die for no apparent reason. Perhaps they literally flower themselves
to death although this does not occur in their natural habitat.
However, for those successful in cultivating this species,
flowers can last for many months. When we visited Marni Turkel's nursery
in California in 2017, she had many plants of Dendrobium cutherbertsonii
in flower.
Its common name is Cuthbertson's Dendrobium named for an 1800's
English orchid collector. Synonyms in use are Dendrobium agathodaemonis
J.J.Sm.; Dendrobium asperfolium J.J.Sm.; Dendrobium atromarginatum;
Dendrobium carstensziense J.J.Sm.; Dendrobium coccinellum Ridley;
Dendrobium euphues Ridley; Dendrobium fulgidum Ridley; Dendrobium
laetum Schlechhter; Dendrobium lichenicola J.J.Sm.; Dendrobium
sophronites Schlechter; Dendrobium trachyphyllum Schlechter;
Maccraithea agathodaemonis (J.J.Sm.) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones
2002; Maccraithea asperifolia (J.J.Sm.) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones
2002; Maccraithea atromarginata (J.J.Sm.) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones
2002; Maccraithea coccinella (Ridl.) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones
2002; Maccraithea cuthbertsonii (F.Muell.) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones
2002; Maccraithea euphues (Ridl.) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones 2002;
Maccraithea lichenicola (J.J.Sm.) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones 2002;
Maccraithea sophronites (Schltr.) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones 2002;
Maccraithea trachyphylla (Schltr.) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones 2002;
Pedilonum asperifolium (J.J. Sm.) Brieger 1981; Pedilonum coccinellum
(Ridl.) Rauschert 1983.
Dendrobium cyanocentrum Schltr. 1906 SECTION Calyptrochilus is another miniature Papua New Guinea species where it can be found as a mini-miniature sized, hot to cool growing epiphyte in rainforests, forest clearings and river banks at 100 to 1,600 m. It has erect to semi-pendent, ovoid to cylindrical to fusiform pseudobulbs carrying 2 to 4, distichous, apical, slender, rough, twisted, purple beneath, semi-glossy leaves. Flowering in late winter and early spring, one-two flowers are borne on terminal, short inflorescences often hidden within the leaves, arising on leafy and leafless canes with a single (rarely 2), star-shaped, lightly fragrant flowers.
Photo
source:
Dendrobium cyanocentrum is the type species of the former section
Oxyglossum having been described, along with Dendrobium pentapterum,
from material collected by Schlechter during his first expedition to New
Guinea in 1901-1902. The sharply pointed reflexed sepals and petals serve
to distinguish Dendrobium cyanocentrum from all other species in
the section. The flowers are scented like citronella.
Photo source:
Its common name is the Black-Blue Spurred Dendrobium. Synonyms in use are Dendrobium flavispiculum J.J. Sm. 1913; Dendrobium lapeyrouseoides Schltr. 1912; Oxyglossellum cyanocentrum (Schltr.) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones 2002; Pedilonum cyanocentrum (Schltr.) Rauschert 1983; Pedilonum flavispiculum (J.J.Sm.) Rauschert 1983; Pedilonum lapeyrouseoides (Schltr.) Rauschert 1983
Dendrobium laevifolium Stapf 1924 SECTION Calyptrochilus occurs as a miniature, warm to cold growing epiphyte in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Santa Cruz Islands and Vanuatu. Found as an epiphyte at 650-2,400m in deep growths of lichen and moss on trees or slightly sloping branches of small trees and shrubs a few feet above the mossy elfin forest bed almost constantly saturated with cold mist or light rain with brief bursts of sun, this species has club-shaped stems or tapering at both ends, and carrying 2, deciduous, linear leaves. Flowering in summer takes place on a very short, axillary, one to few flowered racemes arising from nodes at the apex of the leafless stems.
Its common name is the Shiny Leafed Dendrobium. Synonyms in use are Dendrobium occulatum Ames 1933; Maccraithea laevifolia (Stapf) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones 2002; Pedilonum occultum (Ames) Rauschert 1983
Contd next month