Orchids of New Guinea

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Dendrobium biloculare

Dendrobium biloculare J.J.Sm., Recueil Trav. Bot. Néerl. 1 (1904) 148, fig.

Type: Zippel s.n. (New Guinea), HLB 903, 348-126; -127 (holo L 2x).

Synonyms:

Sayeria bilocularis (J.J.Sm.) Rauschert, Feddes Repert. 94 (1983) 466.

A medium-sized, ?pendulous, epiphytic herb. Pseudobulbs clustered, subclavate, 8-26 by 1 cm, dull yellow, 2-leaved at apex. Leaves relatively thin textured, elliptic-ovate, acute or acuminate, 14 by 4.5 cm. Inflorescences up to 15 cm long, few-flowered; peduncle slender, wiry; bracts narrowly elliptic, acute, 6 mm long. Flowers medium-sized. Dorsal sepal ovate, acute, 1.35 by 0.7 cm; lateral sepals obliquely ovate, acute, 1.2 by 0.7 cm; mentum broadly conical, 5-6 mm long. Petals elliptic-lanceolate, acute, 14 by 3.5 mm. Lip 3-lobed, 1.4 by 1.5 cm; side-lobes erect, almost as large as midlobe , elliptic, rounded in front; midlobe transversely oblong-reniform, apiculate; callus fleshy, with apex free for 2.5 mm and 2-lobed. Column 1.5 mm long, with 2 hook-like apical stelidia; foot 5-6 mm long.
(after Cribb, 1983).

Colours:

Flower pale green with darker veins, veins on the lateral lobes of the lip purple; callus white.

Distribution:

New Guinea.

Distribution New Guinea:

Papua (Etna Bay).

Map: Dendrobium biloculare J.J.Sm., distribution map, redrawn from P. Cribb, Kew Bull. 38 (1983) 242, map 3.

Cultivation:

Warm growing epiphyte.

Flowering time in the wild:

Not known.

Classification:

Family Orchidaceae
Subfamily Epidendroideae
Tribe Dendrobieae
Subtribe Dendrobiinae
Genus Dendrobium
Section Latouria
Species Dendrobium biloculare

Literature:

Cribb, P.J. 1983. Kew Bull. 38: 252, fig. 3, map 3.

Notes:

Dendrobium biloculare J.J.Sm. is similar to Dendrobium convolutum Rolfe but is readily distinguished by its large side-lobes which overlap the midlobe when the lip is flattened and by its bilobed callus which is free at the apex.
(after Cribb, 1983).