Diplocaulobium dilatatocolle

Diplocaulobium dilatatocolle (J.J.Sm.) Kraenzl., in Engl., Pflanzenr. IV. 50. II. B. 21 (1910) 336.

Basionym: Dendrobium dilatatocolle.

Pseudobulbs crowded, 1-leaved, at the base oblong-ovoid, 5 by 1.5 cm, upper part slender, 13 cm by 3 mm, at the apex abruptly widened, 6.5 mm wide. Leaves erect, lanceolate, 17 by 4 cm, coriaceous, apex bidentate. Inflorescences 1-flowered, spathe 2.1 cm long, acute; peduncle 1.8 cm long. Pedicel 4.6 cm long; ovary 0.5 cm long. Flower c. 8 cm across. Dorsal sepal narrowly linear, dilated at the base, 6.5 cm by 5 mm. Lateral sepals 6.5 cm by 7 mm. Petals almost filiform, dilated at the base, 6 cm by 2 mm. Lip 3-lobed, 1.2 by 0.55 cm, with two rather short keels between the lateral lobes; midlobe 0.7 by 0.55 cm, with verrucose basal margins and a longitudinal median swelling. Column 0.3 cm long.
(after Smith, 1903).

Colours: Sepals and petals rather light red-brown, pale yellow at the base, lateral lobes of the lip yellow, whitish at the base, with confluent dark brown spots, midlobe yellow, in basal 2/3 dotted red-brown, the dilated margins yellowish white, keels dark brown.

Habitat: Epiphyte in rainforest and hill forest on limestone. Altitude 200 to 500 m.

Flowering time in the wild: July.

Distribution: Moluccas, New Guinea.

Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Sorong Regency); Papua New Guinea (Sandaun Province).

Notes: Diplocaulobium dilatatocolle is one of the more robust members of the genus.

Cultivation: Warm growing epiphyte.

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