Dendrobium kauldorumii T.M.Reeve, Orchadian 6 (1980) 223 ('kauldorumi').
Type: Reeve 311 (holo LAE; iso AMES, BISH, BO, CBG, E, K, L, NSW, UPNG).
Small to medium-sized epiphytic herbs. Pseudobulbs clavate or fusiform, up to 20 by 1.3 cm, almost covered when young by papery sheaths, 2-3-leaved at the apex, orange-yellow when dry. Leaves coriaceous, spreading, elliptic, obtuse, up to 8 by 3 cm, purplish at base. Inflorescence erect, apical or from below lowest leaf, up to 20 cm long, laxly 3-9-flowered; bracts ovate, acute, 5 mm long. Flowers spreading to pendent. Dorsal sepal oblong-lanceolate, subacute, 1.7 by 0.5 cm, with lateral margins upturned; lateral sepals spreading, obliquely oblong-lanceolate, acute, 1.8 by 0.8 cm; mentum subconical, 0.7 cm long. Petals oblanceolate, subacute, 1.7 by 0.5 cm. Lip scarcely recurved, 3-lobed towards apex, 1.9-2.1 by 2 cm; side-lobes erect-incurved, oblong, rounded in front; midlobe longer than side lobes, ovate, acute, with incurved margins; callus fleshy, bilobed at apex, over half length of lip. Column short, 2.5 mm long, with blunt apical stelidia; column foot 6-7 mm long.
(after Cribb, 1983).
Colours: Sepals and petals white; lip pale green with darker venation; mentum, callus, anther cap, column foot base and ovary green.
Habitat: Epiphytic on Nothofagus in montane forest. Altitude 2000 m.
Flowering time in the wild: September.
Distribution: New Guinea.
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea (Simbu & Eastern Highlands Provinces).
Map: KAULDMAP.JPG [Dendrobium kauldorumii T.M.Reeve, distribution map, redrawn from P. Cribb, Kew Bull. 38 (1983) 250, map 4.]
Notes: The flowers of Dendrobium kauldorumii superficially resemble those of Dendrobium otaguroanum, a much more widespread species. However, in Dendrobium kauldorumii the flowers are nodding, have narrower petals and the lip is distinctly three-lobed. It also may be distinguished by its stouter purple pseudobulbs which bear elliptic, obtuse leaves and a many-flowered raceme.
It was named in honour of Mr. Kaul Dorum of Laiagam (Enga Province, Papua New Guinea) who helped Tom Reeve collect the type material.
(after Cribb, 1983).
Cultivation: Cool growing epiphyte.