Orchids of New Guinea

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Dendrobium cruttwellii

Dendrobium cruttwellii T.M.Reeve, Orchadian 6 (1980) 152 (nom. nov.).

Synonyms:

Sayeria paradoxa Kraenzl., Österr. Bot. Zeitschr. 44 (1894) 298.
- Type: Sayer 6 (holo HBG).
Dendrobium sayeria Schltr., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 1 (1912) 483 (not Dendrobium sayeri Schltr. = Cadetia sayeri (Schltr.) Schltr.).

A pendent to suberect epiphytic herb. Pseudobulbs often oblique, fusiform, 2-13 by 0.5-1.8 cm, glossy red-brown when dry, 2- or occasionally 3-leaved at apex. Leaves petiolate, coriaceous, suberect, narrowly oblong-elliptic to oblanceolate, acute, 5-16 by 1.6-4 cm; petiole slender, 1-2 cm long. Inflorescence arcuate to pendent, up to 20 cm long, laxly 2-12-flowered; peduncle and rachis wiry, very slender, 6-10 cm long; bracts elliptic, apiculate, 5-7 mm long. Dorsal sepal elliptic-ovate, apiculate, 1.3-1.5 by 0.8-0.9 cm; lateral sepals obliquely oblong-ovate, rounded or apiculate at apex, 1.2-1.5 by 0.8-1 cm; mentum broadly conical, 7.5-8 mm long. Petals elliptic, acute, 1.2-1.3 by 0.55-0.6 cm. Lip entire, somewhat oblong to hexagonal in outline, truncate, 1.1-1.5 by 1.1-1.45 cm, with incurved margins; callus fleshy, 3-ridged. Column denticulate at apex, 2.5 mm long; foot 7-9 mm long.
(after Cribb, 1983).

Colours:

Flower whitish or pale green, commonly spotted red on sepals, petals and lip; callus white.

Habitat:

Epiphyte on tree trunks in montane forest. Altitude 1500 to 2450 m.

Distribution:

New Guinea.

Distribution New Guinea:

Papua New Guinea, widespread in the central mountain range, from the Enga Province eastwards.

Map: Dendrobium cruttwellii T.M.Reeve, distribution map, redrawn from P. Cribb, Kew Bull. 38 (1983) 234, map 2.

Cultivation:

Cool growing epiphyte, prefers shaded position.

Flowering time in the wild:

February, April, May, September.

Classification:

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

Literature:

Cribb, P.J. 1983. Kew Bull. 38: 279, fig. 14, pl. 14E, map 2.
Reeve, T.M. & N.E.G. Cruttwell. 1982. Orchadian 7: 51, fig. 1-2.

Notes:

Dendrobium cruttwellii T.M.Reeve is similar to Dendrobium simplex J.J.Sm. but is readily distinguished by its larger glossy red-brown fusiform pseudobulbs, larger leaves with distinct slender petioles, its slender, arcuate, wiry peduncle and red-spotted flowers.
(after Cribb, 1983).