Synonyms
None
Origin in the Wild
Sarawak
Elevation in the Wild
2190-2225 metres
Habitat in the Wild
This species was collected on Mount Mulu in the Gunung Mulu National Park along the path from sub-camp 4 to the summit. The habitat is described as upper montane forest and ridge top montane forest.
The Plants Description
The pseudobulbs cluster on an abbreviated rhizome that grows to 8cm long. The pseudobulbs are caespitose and shaped subfusiform or ovoid. The pseudobulbs measure 0.5-0.9cm long and 0.2-0.4cm in diameter. The pseudobulbs are covered by 3-4 cataphylls while they are growing. The cataphylls slowly disintegrate into persistent fibres as the pseudobulbs mature. The leaves are petiolate; the petiole measures 2-3mm long. The leaf blades are shaped linear-ligulate and have obtuse apices that are minutely apiculate. The leaf blades measure 5-6cm long and 0.2-0.25cm wide. There are 3 distinct nerves on the blade.
The leaves contain crystalline calcium oxalate bodies within their leaves. The bodies are also present in related species as well.
The Inflorescence
The peduncle is erect and measures 3-4cm long. The rachis is erect and measures 5-6cm long. The rachis is quadrangular in cross-section. The flowers alternate distichously and are spaced 1.8-2.5mm apart. The rachis and peduncle are a dull red colour. There are no non-floriferous bracts at the base of the rachis. The flowers open from the proximal section of the rachis.
The Flowers
The flower colour is pale creamy green. The sepals and petals are strongly concave. The dorsal sepal is shaped oblong-ovate and has an obtuse or subacute apex. The dorsal sepal measures 1.8-1.9mm long and 1mm wide. The dorsal sepal has an entire margin and is one veined. The lateral sepals are shaped oblong-ovate and have obtuse or subacute apices. The lateral sepals measure 1.8-1.9mm long and 1mm wide. The laterals have entire margins and are one veined. The petals are shaped ovate to oblong-ovate and have obtuse to subacute apices. The petals measure 1.5mm long and 1mm wide. The petals are directed forward, have entire margins and are one veined. The labellum is four lobed; the side lobes are distinct. The labellum measures 2mm long and 1.5-1.6mm below its middle. The side lobes are a shortly rounded shape. The mid-lobe expands into to side lobules that are straight or subfalcate; there is a tiny mucro in between the side lobules. The margins on the labellum are entire. There is a U-shaped callus that extends the length of the disc and terminates at the mucro between the side lobules of the mid-lobe. The column measures 1mm long and has no foot. The apical hood is obtuse and has an entire margin. The stelidia grow from the base of the column and are equal in length to the apical hood. The stelidia are shaped linear and have obtuse apices. The stelidia measure 1.0-1.1mm long.
Herbarium Specimens
Holotype
Royal Botanic Gardens Kew (K)
Specimen K000078195 (photo)
Scent
No
Flowering Season
The only plant (in flower) to be collected in the wild was during October.
Culture
I do not think this species is in cultivation
Similar Species
Dendrochilum haslamii var. haslamii
Other Information
The epithet refers to A.G Haslam who collected the type specimen and to the four lobed labellum.
This species differs from D. haslamii var haslamii by its distinct side lobes; the side lobes on D. haslamii var haslamii are minute and obscure. The side lobules of the mid-lobe are straight or subfalcate.
Reference –
BEAMAN, Teofila, WOOD, Jeffrey, BEAMAN, Reed, BEAMAN, John. 2001, Orchids of Sarawak, Natural History Publications Borneo, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.
WOOD, Jeffrey. Dendrochilum of Borneo, 2001. Natural History Publications (Borneo), Malaysia.
World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. 14 February 2009. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet; http://www.kew.org/wcsp/ accessed 14 February 2009.