Diplocaulobium centrale (J.J.Sm.) P.F.Hunt & Summerh., Taxon 10 (1961) 108.
Basionym: Dendrobium centrale.
Pseudobulbs crowded, 1-leaved, (20-)68-76 cm long, slender in upper part, widened at the apex, in the middle 0.28 cm wide, at the apex 0.5 cm wide. Leaves linear to linear-lanceolate (or lanceolate), (8-)16-21.5 by 1.5-2.2 cm, coriaceous, keeled below, apex obtusely bilobed. Inflorescences arising in succession from the apex of the pseudobulb, fasciculate, 1-flowered, spathe laterally compressed, (1.7-)2.7 cm long; peduncle 1.6 cm long. Pedicel and ovary 2.8 cm long. Flower resupinated, c. 7 cm across. Dorsal sepal linear, 3.8-4 cm by 8-10 mm, 7-nerved at the base, apex obtuse, apiculate. Lateral sepals linear, falcate, widened and obliquely rounded at the base, 3.85-4 cm by 6-8.5 mm in the middle, 9-10.1 mm wide at the base, 7-nerved at the base, apex acute. Petals oblanceolate-subspathulate, 3.9-4.1 cm by 13-16 mm, 5-nerved at the base, apex acute, apiculate. Lip 3-lobed below the middle, 1.5-1.9 by 1.1-1.4 cm, 9-nerved above the base, with two high keels between the lateral lobes; lateral lobes obliquely ovate-oblong, obtuse, apical margin erose; midlobe triangular-linear, 0.85-1 by 0.25-0.4 cm, acute. Column 0.3-0.46 cm long, clinandrium with broad, obtuse lateral lobules, stigma oblong-obovate; column-foot 0.5-0.8 cm long, inside papillose.
(after Smith, 1911, 1929 & 1934; measurements between brackets refer to 'var. subcontractum').
Colours: Flower white, or sepals rose, petals white or rose, lip rose, apex white.
Habitat: Epiphyte in montane forest. Altitude 1750-2300 m.
Flowering time in the wild: January, March, May, October, November, December.
Distribution: New Guinea (endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Nabire, Paniai, and Jaya Wijaya Regencies); Papua New Guinea (Enga and Morobe Provinces).
Notes: Diplocaulobium centrale is one of the few species of Diplocaulobium with broad petals. In this respect, and also in the stout habit, it can be compared with Diplocaulobium regale and Diplocaulobium auricolor.
Cultivation: Cool growing epiphyte.