Diplocaulobium stelliferum

Diplocaulobium stelliferum (J.J.Sm.) A.D.Hawkes, Lloydia 20 (1957) 130.

Basionym: Dendrobium stelliferum.

Rhizome elongated, creeping to patent. Pseudobulbs 1-1.5 cm apart, 1-leaved, narrowly conical, unequally six-angular, 1.5-2.2 by 0.55-0.63 cm. Leaves lanceolate, 3-5 by 0.93-1.23 cm, very rigidly carnose-coriaceous, apex equally obtusely triangular-bidentate. Inflorescences 1-flowered, spathe linear, 0.6-1 cm long; peduncle 0.5 cm long. Pedicel 2.4 cm long; ovary 0.15 cm long, obconical. Flower c. 2.6 cm across. Dorsal sepal 1.8 cm by 3.3 mm. Lateral sepals mentum 0.7 cm long, obtuse. Petals 1.7 cm by 1.8 mm. Lip weakly 3-lobed, 1.6 by 0.55 cm, with three keels. Column 0.2 cm long.
(after Smith, 1929).

Colours: Sepals and petals white, tips pale yellowish, lip white, the lateral lobes purplish, near the margins with dark purple spots, midlobe in the centre yellow.

Habitat: Epiphyte in lowland rainforest.

Flowering time in the wild: July, August.

Distribution: New Guinea, Australia (Queensland).

Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Jayapura Regency).

Notes: Diplocaulobium stelliferum belongs in the affinity of Diplocaulobium chrysotropis.

Cultivation: Warm growing epiphyte.

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