Dendrobium fulgescens J.J.Sm., Nova Guinea 18 (1935) 46, pl. 9, 27.
Type: Docters van Leeuwen 10019 (holo L; iso BO).
Stems stout, elongated, unbranched, terete in basal part, in upper part laterally compressed, in cross-section elliptic, 75 cm by 8 mm, internodes 4-4.5 cm long. Leaf sheaths with truncate apex. Leaves widely patent, elliptic-oblong, 7.5-11.5 by 2.5-4.2 cm, apex unequally obtusely bilobulate. Inflorescences laterally from the stems, very short, 2-flowered, spathe 0.8 cm long. Pedicel 1.2 cm long; ovary 0.4 cm long. Flowers c. 4.3 cm across, sepals and petals recurved, rather fleshy, scented of vanilla. Dorsal sepal 2.4 cm by 11 mm; mentum 0.7 cm long, broadly obtuse. Petals 2.25 cm by 11 mm. Lip 3-lobed, when flattened 1.75 by 0.93 cm; midlobe 1.1 by 1.1 cm. Column 0.7 cm long; column-foot 0.78 cm long.
(after Smith, 1935).
Colours: Flowers ?pinkish red ('fraise') with white glittering points and a white median streak, lip white, side lobes streaked dark violet, at the base with two orange blotches.
Habitat: Epiphyte in rainforest. Altitude 175 m.
Flowering time in the wild: August.
Distribution: New Guinea (endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Paniai Regency).
Map: FULGEMAP.JPG [Dendrobium fulgescens J.J.Sm., distribution map.]
Notes: Dendrobium fulgescens belongs in the affinity of Dendrobium exaltatum.
Cultivation: Warm growing epiphyte.