Dendrobium jabiense J.J.Sm., Meded. Rijks-Herb. 23 (1915) 11; Nova Guinea 12, 3 (1916) 344, t. 125, fig. 228.
Type: Janowsky 314 (holo BO).
Stems (described from 23 cm long fragment) crowded, branching, internodes to 2.4 cm long. Leaf sheaths verruculose. Leaves ovate-lanceolate, 3-4.5 by 1-1.15 cm, coriaceous, margins near apex minutely denticulate, apex acute, mucronate. Inflorescences racemose, short; peduncle 0.2 cm long, c. 6-flowered. Floral bracts ovate, 0.6 cm long, apex acuminate. Pedicel and ovary 2.1 cm long, clavate. Flowers 2.5 cm long. Dorsal sepal 0.87 cm by 5 mm; mentum long-conical, 1.7 cm long, obtuse. Petals 0.78 cm by 3.3 mm. Lip clawed, spathulate, when flattened 2 by 1 cm, claw for 1 cm adnate to the column-foot; apex cucullate, plicate, apical margin lacinulate. Column 0.3 cm long; column-foot 1.75 cm long.
(after Smith, 1916).
Colours: Flower orange-yellow with yellow margins.
Habitat: Epiphyte in montane forest, altitude not recorded.
Flowering time in the wild: May.
Distribution: New Guinea (endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Nabire Regency: Jabi Mountains).
Notes: Dendrobium jabiense belongs in the affinity of Dendrobium subclausum, but it apparently has a more narrowly conical mentum than is usual in that group.
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.