Dendrobium djamuense

Dendrobium djamuense Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1912) 594; 21 (1928) t. 199, fig. 747.

Type: Schlechter 16822 (holo B, lost; iso AMES, BO, G, L, NSW, S).

Rhizome very short, roots elongated, filiform, flexuose, glabrous. Stems crowded, patent, terete, 40-60 cm by 3-4 mm, densely many-leaved, unbranched. Leaf sheaths densely covering the stem. Leaves erect-patent, elliptic, 9-11 by 2.3-3.5 cm, apex subacute. Inflorescences arising laterally from the stem; peduncle hardly developed, 2-flowered, spathe laterally compressed, short, obtuse. Ovary 1 cm long, subsessile, glabrous. Flowers c. 5 cm across. Dorsal sepal erect, lanceolate-ligulate, 2.6 cm long, apex obtuse. Lateral sepals erect, obliquely lanceolate-ligulate, a little widened at the base, 2.6 cm long, apex obtuse; mentum short, broadly obtuse. Petals obliquely linear, c. 2.6 cm long, apex subacute. Lip entire, subpandurate-elliptic, 1.1 by 0.6 cm, in basal half with a few transverse fleshy ridges, with a fleshy basal keel extending to near the middle, in upper half with a longitudinal median band of subulate backwards pointing papillae, apex apiculate. Column short, clinandrium 3-lobulate, lateral lobules rounded, the median a little larger; column-foot incurved, at the apex papillose. Anther helmet-shaped, glabrous, in front truncate.
(after Schlechter, 1912).

Colours: Flower red-brown, the lip white in the centre.

Habitat: Epiphyte in lowland forest. Altitude 350 m.

Flowering time in the wild: November.

Distribution: New Guinea (endemic).

Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea (Madang Province: Djamu River).

Map: DJAMUMAP.JPG [Dendrobium djamuense Schltr., distribution map.]

Cultivation: Warm growing epiphyte.

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