Diplocaulobium vanleeuwenii (J.J.Sm.) P.F.Hunt & Summerh., Taxon 10 (1961) 109.
Basionym: Dendrobium vanleeuwenii.
Rhizome creeping. Pseudobulbs 0.5-0.6 cm apart, 1-leaved, at the base fusiform, 1.2-1.6 by 0.5-0.6 cm, upper part slender, 2.3-6.5 cm long. Leaves linear, 3.5-6.3 by 0.3 cm, coriaceous, apex bidentate. Inflorescences 1-flowered, spathe 0.85-1.4 cm by 1 mm; peduncle 0.85 cm long. Pedicel 4.4 cm long; ovary 0.3 cm long. Flower c. 5 cm across. Dorsal sepal 3 cm by 3 mm. Lateral sepals 3.1 cm by 6 mm, mentum 0.5 cm long, obtuse. Petals 2.7 cm by 1 mm. Lip 3-lobed, 1.25 by 0.44 cm, with two keels, in the basal 2/3 of the midlobe with a lanceolate callus covered with clavate hairs; midlobe 0.7 by 0.3 cm, apex acute. Column 0.2 cm long; column-foot 0.5 cm long.
(after Smith, 1935).
Colours: Flower (past anthesis) light red, lip yellow (flower probably white when fresh).
Habitat: Epiphyte in riverine forest. Altitude 300 m.
Flowering time in the wild: September.
Distribution: New Guinea (endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Nabire Regency: Legarei River).
Notes: Diplocaulobium vanleeuwenii is closely related to Diplocaulobium mamberamense, but differs in the narrower midlobe of the lip and in the length of the keels. It should also be compared with Diplocaulobium araneola and Diplocaulobium ditschiense.
Cultivation: Warm growing epiphyte.