Diplocaulobium gibbiferum

Diplocaulobium gibbiferum (J.J.Sm.) A.D.Hawkes, Lloydia 20 (1957) 128.

Basionym: Dendrobium gibbiferum.

Pseudobulbs 1-leaved, at the base fusiform, 2.1-2.2 by 0.85-0.9 cm, upper part long and slender, '1.1' (11?) cm by c. 2 mm, at the apex c. 3 mm wide. Leaves erect, lanceolate, 6.7-7 by 1.8-2 cm, coriaceous, apex deeply subacutely bidentate. Inflorescences 1-flowered, spathe 2-2.2; peduncle 0.75 cm long. Pedicel 4 cm long; ovary 0.4 cm long. Flower c. 8 cm across. Dorsal sepal 5.5 cm by 5.7 mm. Lateral sepals 5.3-5.9 cm by 10 mm, mentum c. 0.75 cm long. Petals 5.3 cm by 2.3 mm. Lip 3-lobed, 1.6 by 0.63 cm, with two papillose keels, on the basal half of the midlobe with a hairy, laterally compressed callus; midlobe clawed, the claw 0.3 by 0.4 cm, the blade suborbicular, 0.55 by 0.63 cm. Column 0.4 cm long; column-foot 0.75 cm long.
(after Smith, 1929).

Colours: Sepals and petals pink with yellow tips, lip in the centre yellow, lateral lobes with brown margins.

Habitat: Epiphyte in hill forest on limestone and basalt and in montane forest. Altitude 500-1500 m.

Flowering time in the wild: June, November.

Distribution: New Guinea (endemic).

Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Jayapura Regency).

Notes: Diplocaulobium gibbiferum is a large-flowered relative of Diplocaulobium aratriferum.

Cultivation: Intermediate growing epiphyte.

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