Synonyms
None
Origin in the Wild
Sumatra
Elevation in the Wild
I could find no records.
Habitat in the Wild
This species has been collected near Pariaman, Padang Panjang in West Sumatra (Schlechter).
The Plants Description
This species has long rhizomes with pseudobulbs spaced 3.5cm apart. The pseudobulbs are shaped cylindrical and are a reddish colour. The pseudobulbs measure 2.5cm long and 4mm in diameter. The pseudobulbs are narrowed close to their apices. The leaves are petiolate, the petiole is very short. The leaf blades are shaped lanceolate and have acute apices. The leaf blades measure 11cm long and 1.3cm wide.
The Inflorescence
The inflorescence measures up to 12cm long and bears flowers all the way to the base.
The Flowers
The flowers are yellow-white and open widely. The sepals are shaped oblong and measure 5mm long. The petals are strap-shaped, falcate and have obtuse apices. The petals measure the same as the sepals. The labellum is shaped oblong and has an obtuse apex. The labellum measures up to 3mm long. The labellum measures 1mm wide at its middle and 1.5mm wide at its apex and base. There are two keels that run the whole length of the labellum. The column measures 3mm long and its apical hood is trilobed. The stelidia grow from the middle of the column and extend to the apical hood.
Herbarium Specimens
Holotype
I could not locate the specimen
Other herbarium specimens
National Herbarium Netherlands (L)
Scent
I could find no record
Flowering Season
Schlechter wrote that the plant he was describing was collected in flower during February; the plant was in cultivation.
Culture
I do not think this species is in cultivation.
Similar species
Dendrochilum pallidiflavens
Additional Comments
Jim Comber named this species Dendrochilum rhodobulbon.
I have found this species one of the most challenging to find any information on. Jim Comber makes reference to Schlechter’s original description. Schlechter compared this species to Dendrochilum pallidiflavens but wrote that the small markings make it distinguishable.
Reference –
COMBER, J.B. Orchids of Sumatra, 2001, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew
SCHLECHTER, R. 1911, Beiträge zur Kenntis der Orchideen Flora von Sumatra, Botanishe Jahrbücher fur Systematik Pflanzengeshicte und Pflanzengeograhie, 45 number 104 page 1-61
World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. 24 August 2008. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet; http://www.kew.org/wcsp/ accessed 24 August 2008.