Diplocaulobium franssenianum (J.J.Sm.) A.D.Hawkes, Lloydia 20 (1957) 128.
Basionym: Dendrobium franssenianum.
Pseudobulbs 0.8-1.2 cm apart, 1-leaved, base fusiform, 1.4-1.7 by 0.7 cm, upper part very slender, 3-6.5 by 0.1-0.15 cm, cm. Leaves broadly linear, 4.5-6.5 by 0.72-0.9 cm, apex bidentate. Inflorescences 1-flowered; spathe 1.4-1.9 cm long. Pedicel 5-5.5 cm long; ovary 0.4 cm long. Flower c. 6 cm across. Dorsal sepal 3.7 cm by 4 mm. Lateral sepals mentum 0.84 cm long, obtuse. Petals 3.6 cm by 2.4 mm. Lip weakly 3-lobed, 1.75 by 0.55 cm, with two pubescent keels, on the basal half of the midlobe with an elliptic-oblong callosity covered with clavate hairs; midlobe 0.85 by 0.5 cm. Column 0.3 cm long.
(after Smith, 1916).
Colours: Sepals and petals white with yellow tips tinged purple, lateral lobes of the lip white with dark purple transverse confluent bands, midlobe light yellow, whitish at apex, with a few dark purple dots.
Habitat: Epiphytic in rain forest. Altitude 0 to 100 m.
Flowering time in the wild: October.
Distribution: New Guinea (endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Merauke Regency).
Notes: Diplocaulobium franssenianum is one of many relatives of Diplocaulobium phalangium.
Cultivation: Warm growing epiphyte.