Dendrobium leucohybos

Dendrobium leucohybos Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1912) 486; 21 (1923) t. 164, fig. 613.

Type: Schlechter 17097 (holo B, lost).

An erect to pendent epiphytic herb. Pseudobulbs clustered, cylindrical, only slightly dilated above, 4-5-noded below leaves, 10-22 by 0.3-0.5 cm, 1-2-leaved at apex. Leaves twisted at base to lie in one plane, coriaceous, narrowly elliptic-lanceolate, acuminate, to 15 by 3.6 cm. Inflorescences terminal and/or lateral from uppermost node below leaves, up to 11 cm long, about 5-flowered; bracts ovate, apiculate, 4-5 mm long. Flowers fleshy. Dorsal sepal elliptic, acuminate, 10-11 by 5 mm, lateral sepals falcate, very obliquely triangular, acuminate, 10-11 by 10 mm; mentum incurved-conical, 10 mm long. Petals narrowly elliptic, acuminate, 9 by 3 mm. Lip geniculate and broadly clawed at base, entire or obscurely 3-lobed at apex, obovate in outline, recurved at apiculate apex; side margins rounded; callus three-quarters length of lip, 3-ridged at apex. Column 3 mm long; foot incurved, 1-1.3 cm long.
(after Cribb, 1983).

Colours: Sepals and petals white to pale apricot; lip orange to white.

Habitat: Epiphyte in montane forest. Altitude 900-2400 m.

Flowering time in the wild: March, July, December.

Distribution: New Guinea.

Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea (mountains ranges north of the central mountains).

Map: LEUCOMAP.JPG [Dendrobium leucohybos Schltr., distribution map, redrawn from P. Cribb, Kew Bull. 38 (1983) 289, map 7, with new record added.]

Notes: Dendrobium leucohybos is closely allied to Dendrobium punamense, differing in its flower colour and in its entire or obscurely 3-lobed lip. The species do not overlap in distribution and further study may show that they be more realistically treated as subspecies of one widespread species.
(after Cribb, 1983).

Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.

%LABEL% (%SOURCE%)