Dendrobium subtricostatum J.J.Sm., Nova Guinea 14 (1929) 413, pl. 63, 65.
Type: Doorman 30; 31 (syn BO).
Stems elongated, slender, in cross-section elliptic, 2 mm wide, internodes to 2.7 cm long. Leaf sheaths 0.2 cm wide, especially near the apex 4-angled, on the angles transversely rugulose-verruculose, at the apex with a triangular obtuse tooth opposite the leaf-blade. Leaves linear, narrowing towards the apex, 8 by 0.55 cm, coriaceous-papyraceous, apex obliquely obtusely bidentate. Inflorescences laterally from the stems, very short; peduncle 0.6 cm long, 2-flowered, spathe 0.4-0.5 cm long. Pedicel and ovary 0.9 cm long. Flowers c. 3 cm across. Dorsal sepal 1.8 cm by 6.6 mm; mentum c. 0.82 cm long, obtuse, retuse. Petals 1.55 cm by 3.3 mm. Lip 3-lobed, when flattened 1.2 by 1.23 cm; midlobe 0.4 by 0.7 cm. Column 0.3 cm long; column-foot 0.83 cm long.
(after Smith, 1929).
Colours: Flower cream-colour with yellow or brown tips, lip light yellow.
Habitat: Epiphyte in montane forest, altitude not recorded.
Flowering time in the wild: Not recorded.
Distribution: New Guinea (endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Jaya Wijaya Regency).
Map: SUBTRMAP.JPG [Dendrobium subtricostatum J.J.Sm., distribution map.]
Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte?.