Dendrobium cyanopterum Kraenzl., in Engl., Pflanzenr. IV. 50. II. B. 21 (1910) 170.
Type: Copeland King (New Guinea, Bartle Bay) (holo HBG).
Stems slender, sharply laterally flattened, up to at least 25 cm long. Leaf sheaths minutely rough-textured. Leaves linear, 10 by 0.5 cm, rarely a little longer, acuminate, papyraceous. Inflorescences very short, 2-flowered, spathe shell-shaped, shiny. Flowers c. 2 cm across. Dorsal sepal lanceolate, 0.8 cm by 1 mm, apex acuminate. Lateral sepals falcate, triangular, 1.2 cm by 2 mm, apex acuminate, strongly recurved; mentum half as long as the free part of the lateral sepals, slightly incurved, obtuse, open in front. Petals linear-lanceolate, 0.8 cm by 2 mm. Lip 3-lobed, 0.8 by 0.3 cm, narrowly cuneate at the base, with a pilose median keel extending to the midlobe; lateral lobes ovate-oblong, rounded; midlobe covered with long hairs, oblong-lanceolate, acute. Column with 3-lobulate clinandrium, the lobules very broad, retuse.
(after Kraenzlin, 1910).
Colours: Flower pale yellow, the lateral lobes of the lip bluish, midlobe apparently yellow.
Habitat: Not known. Presumably in the lowlands.
Flowering time in the wild: Not known.
Distribution: New Guinea (endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea (Milne Bay Province: Bartle Bay).
Cultivation: Warm growing epiphyte.