Species Information - Dendrobium subuliferum

Dendrobium subuliferum J.J.Sm., Bull. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg, sér. 2, 2 (1911) 15; Nova Guinea 12, 1 (1913) 63, t. 17, fig. 51.

Type: Kock, de 199 (holo BO).

Synonyms:

• Pedilonum subuliferum (J.J.Sm.) Rauschert, Feddes Repert. 94 (1983) 464.
• Dendrobium subuliferum J.J.Sm. var. gautierense J.J.Sm., Nova Guinea 12, 4 (1916) 332.
  - Type: Gjellerup 827 (holo BO).

Erect, suberect or tufted epiphyte, 2-l0 cm high, often with ascending habit due to competition with mosses. Roots 0.4-l mm. Rhizome usually short, sometimes to c. l cm long. Pseudobulbs 0.5-2.5 by 0.15-0.35 cm, ovoid to narrowly fusiform, 3- 6-noded, apex 2- 4-leaved. Leaves 1-5 by 0.075-0.2 cm, erect to spreading, linear-subulate, thick, often rigid, midrib impressed above, lower surface convex apex acute or apiculate, sometimes minutely papillose; sheaths ribbed, with age becoming fibrous. Inflorescence terminal, mainly from leafy stems, 1- rarely 2-flowered, bracts 7 by 5 mm, scarious, ovate triangular, usually sheathing tip of mentum, distinctly 3-nerved, apex apiculate or acuminate. Flowers 1.5-2.2 cm, usually widely opening to 2.4 cm; sometimes fragrant. Median sepal 7-13 by 3-6 mm, ovate-triangular to ovate-elliptic, acuminate or apiculate. Lateral sepals 14.5-20 by 3.2-5.5 mm, ovate-oblong to ovate-elliptic, sometimes slightly keeled, strongly acuminate to subulate-acuminate; basal fused part 2-3 mm long, subconical; mentum total length 6-8 mm long, tip usually concealed by bract, obtuse or ( unequally) shortly bilobed. Petals 7.5-12 by 3.5-8 mm, broadly obovate-spathulate, upper margins often finely ciliate, apex apiculate. Lip 13-18 by 2.5-3.5 mm, simple to slightly trilobate, oblanceolate, adnate to column foot at base, margins of the apical part slightly upcurved, basal part with V-shaped transverse ridge, apex acuminate to narrowly triangular, straight or slightly deflexed, sometimes slightly upcurved. Column c. 2 mm long; foot 6-8 mm long, a blunt tooth at base present; anther 2-3 mm broad; pollinia c.0.6-0.8 mm long. Ovary 3-winged; pedicel and ovary 7-13 mm. Fruit not observed.
(after Reeve & Woods, 1989).

The field note accompanying Henty's collection (NGF 20885) from Telefomin states that the flowers were fragrant: only one other species in this section is known to have scented flowers - the closely related Dendrobium cyanocentrum from which it differs in its large predominantly white, usually single flowers with broad obovate-spathulate petals normally wider than the sepals: the sepals and petals are not reflexed. In habit, Dendrobium nardoides is not dissimilar but is easily differentiated by its purplish and mostly smaller flowers.
(after Reeve & Woods, 1989).

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