Orchids of New Guinea

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Dendrobium engae

Dendrobium engae T.M.Reeve, Orchadian 6 (1979) 124, fig.

Type: Reeve 238 (holo LAE; iso K, L); para

A robust epiphytic herb. Pseudobulbs fusiform or subclavate, about 10-noded, up to 50 by 1.9-3.3 cm, yellow, 3-5-leaved at apex. Leaves spreading or suberect, coriaceous, oblong or oblong-elliptic, rounded and emarginate at apex, 5.5-21 by 2.5-6 cm. Inflorescence terminal, erect, up to 25 cm long, 3-15-flowered; bracts ovate, acuminate, about 1.5 cm long. Flowers attractive, large. Dorsal sepal ovate, acute, 4-4.5 by 1.7 cm; lateral sepals obliquely ovate, acute or acuminate, 3.8-4.1 by 1.6 cm, strongly keeled on outer surface; mentum conical, 1 cm long. Petals elliptic-spathulate, acute, 3.7-4.5 by 1.6-1.7 cm. Lip recurved, strongly 3-lobed, 3.8-4.5 by 3.5-3.8 cm; side-lobes erect, subquadrate; midlobe ovate to reniform, acute; callus 3-ridged in front with two short basal lobes. Column short, 6 mm long; foot 1 cm long.
(after Cribb, 1983).

Colours:

Flowers fragrant; sepals creamy white; petals greenish white, lip greenish yellow or yellow, heavily spotted maroon on midlobe and veined maroon on side-lobes; callus white.

Habitat:

Epiphytic on Nothofagus in montane forest. Altitude 2000-2700 m.

Distribution:

New Guinea.

Distribution New Guinea:

Papua New Guinea (Enga, Eastern & Western Highlands, Simbu, Morobe and Oro Provinces).

Map: Dendrobium engae T.M.Reeve, distribution map, redrawn from P. Cribb, Kew Bull. 38 (1983) 250, map 4, with new records added.

Cultivation:

Cool growing epiphyte.

Flowering time in the wild:

February, October, December.

Classification:

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

Literature:

Cribb, P.J. 1983. Kew Bull. 38: 256, fig. 4, pl. 10D, E, 12B, map 4.
Reeve, T.M. 1980. Orchadian 6: 152.
Spence, P.J. 1997. Lasianthera 1: 158, fig. 5.

Notes:

Dendrobium engae T.M.Reeve may be readily identified by its stout yellow fusiform pseudobulbs, coriaceous glossy dark green oblong leaves and large fleshy flowers with a distinctive sweet scent.
(after Cribb, 1983).

This distinctive species, although only recently described, is apparently widespread in Highland Papua New Guinea. Within that area, it does have a rather limited habitat preference being almost entirely restricted to the larger branches of Nothofagus trees growing in montane forest on ridges over 2000 m.