Dendrobium aridum J.J.Sm., Nova Guinea 18 (1935) 42, pl. 9, 24.
Type: Docters van Leeuwen 10778 (holo L).
Rhizome short, roots thick. Stems crowded, erect, unbranched, slender, slightly flexuose, laterally compressed, 33 cm by 1 mm, internodes to 1.9 cm long. Leaf sheaths slightly transversely rugulose. Leaves erect, linear, 4.8 by 0.25 cm, papyraceous, apex obtusely bilobulate. Inflorescences laterally from the stems, 1-flowered, very short. Pedicel 0.23 cm long; ovary 0.2 cm long. Flower c. 0.8 cm across. Dorsal sepal 0.46 cm by 3 mm; mentum 0.4 cm long, broadly obtuse. Petals 0.48 cm by 1.6 mm. Lip 3-lobed, when flattened 0.58 by 0.4 cm; midlobe 0.28 by 0.35 cm. Column 0.15 cm long; column-foot 0.4 cm long.
(after Smith, 1935).
Colours: Sepals and petals light yellow, lip red.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lower montane forest. Altitude 1200 m.
Flowering time in the wild: October.
Distribution: New Guinea (endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Paniai Regency).
Notes: Dendrobium aridum should be compared with Dendrobium obovatum.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.