Dendrobium crenatilabre

Dendrobium crenatilabre J.J.Sm., Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg, sér. 2, 3 (1912) 73; Nova Guinea 12, 1 (1913) 55, t. 15, fig. 43.

Type: Gjellerup 556 (holo BO, iso L).

Stems elongated, strongly laterally compressed, slightly flexuose, more than 47 cm by 3 mm, internodes 1.5-4 cm long. Leaf sheaths 0.38-0.43 cm wide, near the apex transversely rugulose, opposite the leaf-blade provided with a very short tooth. Leaves patent, linear, 5-7.5 by 0.73-0.85 cm, coriaceous, apex obtusely bilobulate. Inflorescences lateral from the stem, 1-flowered; peduncle 0.55 cm long. Ovary 0.6 cm long. Flower c. 1.25 cm across. Dorsal sepal 0.83 cm by 4.3 mm; mentum 0.83 cm long, broadly obtuse. Petals 0.8 cm by 2-2.3 mm. Lip in natural position 0.76 by 0.44 cm, with a convex, grooved, longitudinal band; in apical part transversely rugulose. Column 0.26 cm long; column-foot 1 cm long.
(after Smith, 1913).

Colours: Flower light yellowish rose-red, lip spotted violet at the base and with yellow apical margin.

Habitat: Epiphyte in montane forest. Altitude 2000 m.

Flowering time in the wild: June.

Distribution: Moluccas, New Guinea.

Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Jayapura Regency: Cyclop Mountains).

Notes: Dendrobium crenatilabre may be recognised by the entire lip with irregularly crenate margins; it is one of the few species in sect. Biloba that occur at higher altitudes.

Cultivation: Cool growing epiphyte.

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