Dendrobium conicum

Dendrobium conicum J.J.Sm., Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg, sér. 2, 3 (1912) 73; Nova Guinea 12, 1 (1913) 59, t. 16, fig. 47.

Type: Gjellerup 534 (holo BO, iso L).

Stems elongated, in upper part flexuose, 55 cm by 4.7 mm, internodes 1.2-2.8 cm long. Leaves lanceolate, twisted at the base so as to lie in one plane, 5.7-9.3 by 1.4-2 cm, apex acutely acuminate. Inflorescences lateral from defoliated stems, racemose, very short; rachis 1 cm long, c. 10-flowered. Floral bracts broadly obliquely ovate, 0.7 by 0.63 cm, apex acuminate, outside verrucose. Pedicel and ovary 2.5-2.9 cm long. Flowers 3.1 cm long. Dorsal sepal 1.3 cm by 7 mm; mentum conical, 1.8 cm long, narrowly obtuse. Petals 1.35 cm by 5 mm. Lip clawed, spathulate, when flattened 2.2 by 1.2 cm, claw for 1.2 cm adnate to the column-foot; apex cucullate, plicate, margins in the middle fimbriate. Column 0.27 cm long; column-foot 1.8 cm long.
(after Smith, 1913).

Colours: Flower green-yellowish white.

Habitat: Epiphyte on mossy trees in montane forest, altitude not recorded.

Flowering time in the wild: June.

Distribution: New Guinea (endemic).

Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Jayapura Regency: Cyclop Mountains).

Notes: Dendrobium conicum appears to be little more than a whitish colour form of Dendrobium lawesii.

Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte, keep in shade.

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