Synonyms
Pseudacoridium woodianum (Ames) Ames, Orchidaceae 7: 79 (1922).
Origin in the Wild
Mindoro and Luzon
Elevation in the Wild
1200-2600 metres
Habitat in the Wild
This species is found in scrubby submontane forest. Henrik Pedersen wrote that this species grew as an epiphyte on ridges (Pedersen 1997). This species has been collected on Mount Halcon and above the Subaan River in Mindoro and in Luzon (I do not know the location)
The Plants Description
This species is tufted and has moderately thick roots. The pseudobulbs cluster along the rhizomes and are shaped obryriform. The pseudobulbs measure 0.5-0.8cm long. The leaves are petiolate; the petiole measures 1cm. The leaf blades measure 2.7-6.1cm long and 0.5-1cm wide. The leaf blades are dorsiventrally complanate and have rounded to obtuse apices. The leaves have three distinct nerves and are conduplicate.
The Inflorescence
The peduncle is usually curved and measures 3.8-5.5cm long. The rachis is nodding and measures 1.6-2.4cm long. The flowers are spaced 2-3mm apart along the rachis. There are two non-floriferous bracts at the proximal part of the rachis. The flowers open from the proximal part of the rachis.
The Flowers
Between 5 and 9 flowers grow from the rachis (Pedersen 1997). Elmer Merrill wrote that the colour was dark red and the plant was odourless (Merrill 1907). Henrik Pedersen wrote that the apices on the tepals are yellow (Pedersen 1997). The dorsal sepal is shaped linear-oblong and has an rounded-obtuse apex. The dorsal sepal measures 6.8-6.9mm long and 2.4-2.6mm wide. The dorsal sepal is three veined and has an entire margin. The lateral sepals are somewhat concave shaped obliquely lanceolate and have obtuse apices. The lateral sepals measure 7.2-8.1mm long and 2.6-3mm wide. The lateral sepals are three veined and have quite entire margins. The petals are recurved, shaped linear-oblong and have obtuse apices. The petals measure 6.4-6.6mm long and 2.3-2.4mm wide. The petals are three veined and have erose-dentate margins. The labellum is 3 lobed and three veined. The labellum measures 1.6-1.8mm long and 4.0-4.3mm wide. The side loves are shaped obliquely ovate-triangular and have rounded apices. The mid-lobe is obscure and has a rounded apex. The labellum is indented at its middle and encases the column like a hood. There are two calli located at the base of each side lobe. There is no median callus. The column is erect, straight and measures 2.6mm long.
Herbarium Specimens
Holotype
AMES
Specimen 18857 (photo)
Other herbarium specimens
National Herbarium Netherlands (L)
Scent
No
Flowering Season
Flowering plants have been collected in the wild during April, May and November.
Culture
I do not think this species is in cultivation.
Similar Species
NA
Additional Comments
This species has a very unusual labellum which makes it easily identifiable.
In 1922 Ames described the genus Pseudacoridium and transferred this species to that genus. This species was transferred back to Dendrochilum at a later date.
The epithet is named in honour of Major General Leonard Wood. Major Wood directed the first ascension of Mount Halcon in 1906. This expedition was to focus on biology and zoology. It took the expedition 21 days to reach the summit.
Reference –
AMES, Oakes. 1908, Illustrations and studies of the Family Orchidaceae Facsimile 2, Ames Botanical Laboratory, North Easton, Massachusetts, Boston.
MERRILL, Elmer D. 1907, The Flora of Mount Halcon, Philippine Journal of Science, Botany V2.
PEDERSEN, Henrik. 1997, The Genus Dendrochilum (Orchidaceae) in the Philippines – A Taxonomic Revision. Opera Botanica, Denmark.
World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. 30 July 2008. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet; http://www.kew.org/wcsp/ accessed 30 July 2008.