Dendrobium torricellianum Kraenzl., in Engl., Pflanzenr. IV. 50. II. B. 21 (1910) 15 (nom. nov.).
Basionym: Dendrobium atrorubens Schltr.
Rhizome very short, roots elongated, filiform, flexuose, glabrous. Stems crowded, pendulous, up to 60 cm long, densely many-leaved, not or sparsely branched. Leaf sheaths entirely covering the stem. Leaves bilaterally flattened, lanceolate, 2.5-4 by 0.5-1 cm, apex acute, thick coriaceous. Inflorescences fasciculate, appearing in succession, 1-flowered. Floral bracts ovate, longer than the ovary, apex acute to acuminate. Ovary 0.7 cm long, obconical, glabrous. Flowers c. 1 cm long. Dorsal sepal ovate, 0.6 cm long, apex acute. Lateral sepals obliquely ovate, widened at the base, 0.6 cm long, apex apiculate. Petals obliquely oblong, 0.45 cm long, apex shortly acuminate. Lip oblong, with a linear callus extending from the base to beyond the middle; apex acuminate. Column short, thick, slightly constricted below the clinandrium, the latter 3-lobulate, the lateral lobules obtuse, the median linear; column-foot elongated, fleshy, glabrous. Anther oblong-subquadrate, in front subemarginate, glabrous.
(after Kraenzlin, 1910).
Colours: Flower dark purple.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest. Altitude 1100 m.
Flowering time in the wild: April.
Distribution: New Guinea (endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea (Sandaun Province: Torricelli Mountains).
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.