Dendrobium torricellense

Dendrobium torricellense Schltr., in K.Schum. & Lauterb., Nachtr. Fl. Deutsch. Schutzgeb. Südsee (1905) 164; Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1912) 489; 21 (1923) t. 165, fig. 618.

Type: Schlechter 14358 (holo B, lost).

A terrestrial or epiphytic herb. Pseudobulbs clustered, terete, slightly dilated at base but not above, 30 by 0.4 cm, yellow, about 7-noded, 2-leaved at apex. Leaves rather thin-textured, suberect, linear-lanceolate, acuminate, 15 by 1.8 cm, shortly petiolate at base. Inflorescence terminal, erect, few-flowered, 12 cm long; bracts lanceolate, acute, 3 mm long. Dorsal sepal elliptic-oblong, rounded at apex, 1-1.4 by 0.7 cm; lateral sepals obliquely oblong, obtuse, 1.5 by 0.8 cm; mentum pointing backwards, conical, rounded, 7 mm long. Petals narrowly oblong-ligulate, subspathulate, somewhat obtuse, 0.8-1 by 0.3-0.5 cm. Lip 3-lobed near apex, 1.3 by 1-1.2 cm; side-lobes erect, almost as long as midlobe, obliquely oblong; midlobe transversely oblong to subcircular, obtuse or truncate at apex; callus three-ridged, over half length of lip. Column 1.5 mm long, suberose on apical margin; foot 7 mm long
(after Cribb, 1983).

Colours: Flowers white, marked with red or violet on lip.

Habitat: Epiphyte in montane forest. Altitude 800 to 1550 m.

Flowering time in the wild: April, September.

Distribution: New Guinea.

Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Vogelkop Peninsula); Papua New Guinea (Torricelli Mountains).

Map: TORRIMAP.JPG [Dendrobium torricellense Schltr., distribution map, redrawn from P. Cribb, Kew Bull. 38 (1983) 242, map 3.]

Notes: Dendrobium torricellense is a distinctive species, recognised by its long slender stems which are not dilated above, its two linear-lanceolate leaves and its white flowers, veined with red or violet on the distinctively shaped lip.
(after Cribb, 1983).

Cultivation: Intermediate growing terrestrial, prefers light position.

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