Dendrobium acanthephippiiflorum J.J.Sm., Meded. Rijks-Herb. 23 (1915) 10 ('acanthophippiiflorum'); Nova Guinea 12, 3 (1916) 315, t. 114, fig. 208.
Type: Janowsky 401(holo BO).
Stems crowded, elongated, unbranched, flexuose, at the base thin, upwards dilated and laterally compressed, 40 cm by 5 mm (not including the leaf-sheaths). Leaf sheaths 1.3 cm wide, much longer than the internodes, strongly laterally compressed, apex excised. Leaves erect-patent, lanceolate, 8.5-12 by 1.4-2.8 cm, coriaceous, apex narrowly unequally bidentate. Inflorescences laterally from the stems, very short, 2-flowered, spathe very short, 0.2 by 0.77 cm. Pedicel and ovary 1.2 cm long. Flowers c. 3 cm long. Dorsal sepal 2.3 cm by 13 mm, carnose; mentum broadly rounded-saccate, 1.6 cm long, 1.7 cm wide, in front bilobed. Petals 2.1 cm by 9 mm. Lip 3-lobed at apex, mobile, when flattened 1.35 by 1.35 cm; midlobe 3-lobulate. Column 0.65 cm long; column-foot strongly incurved, inside densely transversely verruculose-papillose, 1.65 cm long in natural position, free apical part 0.48 cm long.
(after Smith, 1916).
Colours: Flower white, lip with red margin.
Habitat: Epiphyte in forest, altitude not recorded.
Flowering time in the wild: June.
Distribution: New Guinea (endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Nabire Regency: Jabi Mountains).
Map: ACANTMAP.JPG [Dendrobium acanthephippiiflorum J.J.Sm., distribution map.]
Notes: Dendrobium acanthephippiiflorum belongs to a small group of species that was separated into the section Eriopexis by Schlechter, characterised by the combination of a very long, incurved column-foot and a strongly flattened stem.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.