Diplocaulobium ajoebii (J.J.Sm.) P.F.Hunt & Summerh., Taxon 10 (1961) 108.
Basionym: Dendrobium ajoebii.
Rhizome short. Pseudobulbs 0-0.8 cm apart, 1-leaved, base ovoid-fusiform to obovoid, 1.2-1.6 by 0.75-1.1 cm, upper part very slender, 3.2-6.3 cm long. Leaves lanceolate, 5.5-6 by 1.4-'1.1'(2.1?) cm, coriaceous, apex equally 2-dentate. Inflorescences 1-flowered, spathe 2 cm long. Pedicel 3.5-3.8 cm long; ovary 0.5 cm long. Flower c. 5.5 cm across. Dorsal sepal 3.2 cm by 5.3 mm; mentum 0.55 cm long, obtuse. Petals 3.2 cm by 3.6 mm. Lip 3-lobed, 1.48 by 0.5 cm, with 2 papillose keels, on the basal half of the midlobe with a cushion-like, papillose callus; midlobe clawed, the claw 0.25 cm long, the blade 0.58 by 0.45 cm. Column 0.3 cm long.
(after Smith, 1916).
Colours: Flower white to pale violet-pink, tips yellow.
Habitat: Epiphyte in hill and montane forest. Altitude 400 to 1600 m.
Flowering time in the wild: April, August-November.
Distribution: New Guinea (endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Jayapura Regency); Papua New Guinea (Eastern Highlands and Central Provinces).
Notes: Diplocaulobium ajoebii, characterised by the very small midlobe of the lip, belongs to an entangled alliance, containing Diplocaulobium phalangium, Diplocaulobium lageniforme, Diplocaulobium aratriferum, and many other names.
Cultivation: Warm growing epiphyte.