Dendrobium plumilobum J.J.Sm., Nova Guinea 18 (1935) 45, pl. 9, 26.
Type: Docters van Leeuwen 10313 (holo L).
Rhizome short, roots about as thick as the stems. Stems crowded, unbranched, rigid, terete, 50 cm by 1.5-1.8 mm, internodes 1-3 cm long. Leaf sheaths near the apex rather prominently veined, minutely verruculose-rugulose, at the apex with a conspicuous, obtuse, triangular, concave tooth opposite the leaf-blade. Leaves patent to widely patent, linear, gradually narrowing towards the apex, 8.5 by 0.45 cm, apex unequally narrowly bidentate. Inflorescences laterally from the stems, very short; peduncle 0.53 cm long, 2-flowered, spathe 0.6 cm long. Pedicel 1.3 cm long; ovary 0.45 cm long. Flowers c. 4 cm across. Dorsal sepal 2.25 cm by 4 mm; mentum 0.36 cm long, obtuse. Petals 2.1 cm by 2 mm. Lip 3-lobed, when flattened 0.98 by 0.63 cm; midlobe 0.6 by 0.45 cm. Column 0.34 cm long; column-foot 0.34 cm long.
(after Smith, 1935).
Colours: Flower light yellow.
Habitat: Epiphyte in rainforest. Altitude 250 m.
Flowering time in the wild: September.
Distribution: New Guinea (endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Paniai Regency).
Map: PLUMIMAP.JPG [Dendrobium plumilobum J.J.Sm., distribution map.]
Notes: Dendrobium plumilobum should be compared with Dendrobium laceratum.
Cultivation: Warm growing epiphyte.