Dendrobium sarcophyllum Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1912) 616; 21 (1928) t. 208, fig. 783.
Type: Schlechter 18013 (holo B, lost; iso AMES, BO, E, G, K, L, NSW).
Rhizome very short, roots elongated, filiform, flexuose, glabrous. Stems crowded, erect, more or less straight, rigid, unbranched, 30-45 cm long, rather leaved-leaved. Leaf sheaths entirely covering the stem, minutely rugulose. Leaves erect-patent, subulate, 1.3-1.8 by 0.2 cm, apex apiculate to obtuse. Inflorescences arising laterally from the stem, subsessile, 2-flowered; spathe small, laterally compressed, semiorbicular, broadly obtuse. Pedicel and ovary 0.8 cm long, glabrous. Flowers c. 1.5 cm across. Dorsal sepal narrowly oblong, 1.1 cm long, apex subacute. Lateral sepals obliquely narrowly oblong, widened at the base, 1.1 cm long, apex subacute; mentum 0.3 cm long, obtuse. Petals obliquely oblong, 1.1 cm long, apex subacute. Lip 3-lobed in the middle, 0.8 by 0.6 cm, broadly cuneate at the base, inside sparsely covered with subulate papillae, with a basal keel widening towards the apex and extending to the middle; lateral lobes obliquely ovate-triangular, acute; midlobe twice as long, broadly elliptic, lateral margins irregularly fimbriate-ciliate, apex shortly acuminate. Column short, rather thick, clinandrium 3-lobulate, the lateral lobules truncate, median small, tooth-like; column-foot 0.3 cm long. Anther broadly rounded-cucullate, glabrous, in front truncate.
(after Schlechter, 1912).
Colours: Flower light yellow, the lip in the centre orange-red.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest. Altitude 1300 to 2000 m.
Flowering time in the wild: July, September.
Distribution: New Guinea (endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua New Guinea (Madang and Eastern Highlands Provinces).
Map: SARPHMAP.JPG [Dendrobium sarcophyllum Schltr., distribution map.]
Notes: Very distinctive because of the subulate leaves.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.