Dendrobium calyptratum J.J.Sm., Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg, sér. 2, 2 (1911) 12; Nova Guinea 12, 1 (1913) 62, t. 17, fig. 50.
Type: Kock, de 30 (holo BO).
Stems (12 cm long fragment described) elongated, terete, flexuose, 2.4-3.5 mm, internodes 0.5-1 cm long. Leaf sheaths densely verrucose. Leaves patent, not twisted at the base, oblong, 3-4 by 1.2-1.3 cm, papyraceous, margins near the apex minutely ciliolate, apex subobliquely broadly obtuse, minutely apiculate. Inflorescences lateral, racemose, short; rachis 0.8 cm long, densely c. 11-flowered. Floral bracts ovate, 0.55 cm long, apex acuminate. Pedicel 1.1 cm long; ovary 0.5 cm long, subverruculose. Flowers 1.7 cm long, sepals outside subverruculose. Dorsal sepal 0.7 cm by 4.4 mm; mentum conical, 1 cm long, obtuse. Petals 0.7 cm by 3 mm. Lip clawed, broadly spathulate, in natural position 1.2 by 0.65 cm, claw for 0.7 cm adnate to the column-foot; apex cucullate, plicate, margins in the middle fimbriate. Column 0.2 cm long; column-foot 1 cm long, at c. 2.5 mm below the apex with a rounded-emarginate transverse membrane.
(after Smith, 1913).
Colours: Flowers orange, yellow in the centre.
Habitat: Epiphyte on mossy trees in montane forest, also terrestrial, growing in the shade. Altitude 1900 m.
Flowering time in the wild: March.
Distribution: New Guinea (endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Jaya Wijaya Regency: Mt. Goliath).
Notes: Dendrobium calyptratum is an undistinguished member of the Dendrobium subclausum alliance.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte, keep in shade.