Dendrobium section Strongyle Lindl.,
Paxton's Fl. Gard. 1 (1850-51) sub t. 27.
Rhizome short, roots (unlike sect. Oxystophyllum) not brown. Stems (much) elongated and slender, usually not branched, not fleshy, many-leaved. Leaves sheathing at the base, not overlapping, glabrous, thick coriaceous, very fleshy, often subterete, bilaterally flattened with rounded edges (unlike sect. Aporum and sect. Oxystophyllum). Inflorescences arising laterally or subterminally from the stem, mainly in upper part, very short, 1-flowered, often in small fascicles. Flowers medium-sized, lasting at most 2-3 days, thin-textured, usually white or at least with pale colours. Mentum well-developed, not tubular in apical part. Lip not mobile.
Distribution
Burma, Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea. About 20 species; in New Guinea only one species (Dendrobium sphenochilum).
Habitat
Epiphytes in lowland forest.
Notes
Section Strongyle has much in common with sections Aporum and Crumenata. The plants have laterally flattened leaves, but unlike in sect. Aporum, these are quite thick, with rounded (not sharp) edges, appearing almost subterete, while unlike in sect. Crumenata the stems are not at all swollen at the base.