Diplocaulobium validicolle (J.J.Sm.) Kraenzl., in Engl., Pflanzenr. IV. 50. II. B. 21 (1910) 342.
Basionym: Dendrobium validicolle.
Rhizome short. Pseudobulbs crowded, 1-leaved, oblong-ovoid in basal part, in upper part slender, subterete, slightly thickened to the apex, 20-30 cm long, the swollen basal part c. 5.5 cm by 1.6-2.1 cm, upper part c. 0.4 cm wide. Leaves oblong, slightly widened towards the apex, 18.5-22 by 5.5-6.3 cm, base conduplicate, apex rounded, narrowly emarginate; rigidly coriaceous. Inflorescences arising in succession from the apex of the pseudobulb, fasciculate, 1-flowered, spathe conduplicate, 4-4.7 by 1.3-1.4 cm; peduncle 3-4 cm long, with a few, tubulose, membranous scales. Floral bract very short, ring-like, apex shortly acuminate. Pedicel 2.5-2.7 cm long; ovary 0.8 by 0.35-0.4 cm, 6-grooved. Flower resupinated, 6-7 cm across, ephemeral. Dorsal sepal erect, narrowly linear, widened to the base, 5.1 cm by 7.5 mm at the base, in the middle 2 mm wide, concave, apex acute. Lateral sepals narrowly linear, falcate-deflexed, widened to the base, 5.1 cm by 9.3 mm at the base, in the middle 2 mm wide, apex acute; 7-nerved; mentum very short. Petals narrowly linear, a little widened at the base, 4.25 cm by 3.5 mm at the base, in the middle 1.25 mm wide, concave, apex acute. Lip 3-lobed near apical third, 1.27 by 0.7 cm, with a longitudinal farinose-papillose, pubescent band, weakly 2-ribbed near the base, in the basal half of the midlobe with an oblong, 3-ribbed, cushion-like swelling; lateral lobes erect, very short, broad, concave, apex lightly rounded; midlobe angular-orbicular, 0.5 by 0.6 cm, undulate, apex recurved. Column truncate-conical, 0.4 cm long, rostellum broad, 2-lobulate, stigma small, obtriangular, deeply concave; column-foot at almost right angles to the ovary, lightly curved, 0.6 cm long, papillose inside, narrowed to the truncate apex. Anther cucullate, in front flat, orbicular. Pollinia laterally compressed.
(after Smith, 1909).
Colours: Sepals and petals golden yellow, at the base pale yellowish, lip white, lateral lobes transversely striped and spotted blackish purple, the stripes confluent at the margin, midlobe spotted purple.
Habitat: Epiphyte in lowland forest.
Flowering time in the wild: Not recorded.
Distribution: New Guinea (endemic).
Distribution in New Guinea: Papua (Merauke Regency).
Cultivation: Warm growing epiphyte.