Diplocaulobium phalangillum (J.J.Sm.) Kraenzl., in Engl., Pflanzenr. IV. 50. II. B. 21 (1910) 336.
Basionym: Dendrobium phalangillum.
Rhizome short, branching. Pseudobulbs crowded, 1-leaved, fusiform, 1-1.3 by 0.35-0.4 cm. Leaves sublinear, 3-3.5 by 0.37-0.45 cm, bidentate, grooved on upper side along the midvein. Inflorescences arising in succession from the apex of the pseudobulb, 1-flowered, spathe laterally flattened, 0.7-0.8 cm long; peduncle 0.55 cm long. Floral bract minute. Pedicel 1.1 cm long; ovary 0.15 cm long, at an angle to the pedicel. Flower resupinated, c. 2 cm across. Dorsal sepal at the base oblong-triangular, sublinear-acuminate in upper part, 1 cm by 2.5 mm, concave. Lateral sepals at the base obliquely broadly triangular, sublinear-acuminate in upper part, 1 cm by 5 mm, 5-nerved, concave; mentum c. 0.4 cm long. Petals linear, narrowed to the apex, 1 cm by 1 mm, 3-nerved. Lip 3-lobed above the middle, 0.85 by 0.4 cm, with two straight papillose-pubescent keels extending to near the apex, the keels on the midlobe crenulate, on the midlobe between the keels pubescent; lateral lobes erect, short, broad, rounded; midlobe oblong, 0.35 by 0.2 cm, acute, apiculate. Column 0.2 cm long, clinandrium 3-lobulate, the lateral lobules obtuse, denticulate, the median subulate; column-foot linear, slightly curved, 0.43 cm long, at an obtuse angle to the column proper. Anther cucullate. Pollinia 4 arranged in 2 obovoid bodies.
(after Smith, 1909).
Colours: Flower white, sepals tinged rose-red or with yellow tips, lip tinged yellow, the lateral lobes with dark purple-brown margins and transverse stripes.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lowland rainforest.
Flowering time in the wild: April, July, August, October.
Distribution: New Guinea (endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Jayapura, Merauke and Jaya Wijaya Regencies).
Cultivation: Warm growing epiphyte.