Dendrobium platybasis Ridl., Trans. Linn. Soc. London, Bot. 9 (1916) 165.
Type: Kloss s.n. (Launch Camp, c. 0 ft.) (holo BM).
Stems flattened, widened at the basal 4 internodes, with a sharp longitudinal median keel along each of the flattened sides, to 30 cm long, the flattened basal part to 3.5 cm by 5 mm. Leaves linear, curved, 4 by 0.3 cm, apex acute. Inflorescences arising in fascicles from the leafless upper part of the stem. Floral bracts lanceolate, apex acuminate. Pedicel and ovary 0.6 cm long, slender. Flowers c. 1 cm across. Dorsal sepal ovate, 0.5 cm long, apex acute. Lateral sepals triangular, 0.2 mm wide, apex acute; mentum curved, obtuse. Petals narrowly linear, about as long as the dorsal sepal. Lip obcuneate, clawed, 1 by 1 cm, claw broadly obtriangular-obovate, with a thick, fleshy median keel provided with two grooves.
(after Ridley, 1916).
Colours: Not recorded.
Habitat: Epiphyte in swamp forest. Altitude 50 m.
Flowering time in the wild: Not recorded.
Distribution: New Guinea (endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Timika Mimika Regency).
Notes: Should be compared with Dendrobium macfarlanei.
Cultivation: Warm growing epiphyte.