Dendrobium fruticicola J.J.Sm., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 12 (1913) 116; Nova Guinea 12, 3 (1916) 344, t. 125, fig. 229.
Type: Gjellerup 1111 (holo BO, iso L 2x).
Stems branching, terete, in upper part flexuose and angular, 80 cm by 3 mm when dried, internodes to 3.8 cm long. Leaf sheaths densely verruculose. Leaves erect-patent, lanceolate, 2.7-4.5 by 0.63-0.83 cm, coriaceous, margins near apex minutely ciliolate-denticulate, apex obtuse, minutely apiculate. Inflorescences lateral, racemose, short, 3-6-flowered. Floral bracts ovate-triangular, 1.1 cm long, apex acuminate, outside verruculose. Pedicel and ovary 2.6 cm long, clavate. Flowers 3.2 cm long. Dorsal sepal 1.13 cm by 5 mm; mentum long-conical, 2.1 cm long, obtuse. Petals 1 cm by 3 mm. Lip clawed, spathulate, when flattened 2.5 by 1 cm, claw for 1.25 cm adnate to the column-foot; apex cucullate, plicate, apical margin densely lacinulate. Column 0.37 cm long; column-foot 2 cm long.
(after Smith, 1916).
Colours: Flower orange, fringes of the lip white, column grey-violet at apex (anther?).
Habitat: Epiphyte on low mossy shrubs growing on granite gravel covered with peaty soil. Altitude 1900 m.
Flowering time in the wild: April.
Distribution: New Guinea (endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Manokwari Regency: Arfak Mountains).
Notes: Dendrobium fruticicola is a large-flowered member of the Dendrobium subclausum alliance.
Cultivation: Cool growing epiphyte.