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This photo was traced by Trey Sanders from J.J. Smith's original. |
Synonyms
Platyclinis abbreviata (Blume) Benth. ex Hemsl., Gard. Chron., n.s., 16: 656 (1881).
Liparis abbreviata (Blume) N.E.Br., Suppl. Johnson's Gard. Dict.: 954 (1882).
Acoridium abbreviatum (Blume) Rolfe, Orchid Rev. 12: 219 (1904).
Origin in the Wild
Java
Elevation in the Wild
700-2000 metres
Habitat in the Wild
This species is found all over Java although not common. This species is found growing as an epiphyte in primary rainforest.
The Plants Description
The pseudobulbs are spaced approximately 5cm apart along the rhizome. The pseudobulbs are shaped oblong and are dark green. The pseudobulbs measure 4-5cm long and 0.5cm in diameter. The leaves are petiolate; the petiole measures c7cm long. The leaf blades have an acute apex. The leaves measure 30-35cm long and 3.0-3.5cm wide.
The Inflorescence
The inflorescence is synanthous and appears from undeveloped pseudobulbs before the leaves appear. The peduncle is erect. The rachis is arching. The inflorescence measures 25-32cm long.
The Flowers
Between 25 and 35 flowers grow on an inflorescence (Comber 1990). The flowers are pale green. The sepals are shaped broadly lanceolate and have acute apices. The sepals measure c8.5mm long and 3.5mm wide. The petals have the same shape but are smaller with erose margins. The labellum is pendent and 3 lobed. The side lobes are flat and have finely erose margins from the base to the apex. The mid-lobe is shaped broadly ovate and has a shortly apiculate apex. The mid-lobe margins are finely erose. There are two keels that run from the base and flatten towards the apex. The stelidia grow from the base of the column and are shorter than the column apex.
Herbarium Specimens
Other herbarium Specimens
Kew Botanic Gardens (K)
National Herbarium Netherlands, Leiden (L)
Natural History Museum (BM)
Scent
I could find no record.
Flowering Season
I believe this species flowers during the spring and summer in cultivation.
Culture
Although I have not seen this plant in cultivation, I believe it is found in some private collections. I have seen nursery listings of this plant in Germany but could not verify if they were Dendrochilum abbreviatum.
Similar Species
Dendrochilum longifolium
Other Information
There is a variety described by J.J. Smith as Dendrochilum abbreviatum var reniforme. This plant was given varietal status on account of its smaller flowers and dentate margin on the apical wing. The plant was found in Java on Gunung Salek. I have not created a separate page for this plant as I could not find enough information on it.
Reference –
COMBER, J.B. Orchids of Java, 1990, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, UK
World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. 27 July 2009. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet; http://www.kew.org/wcsp/ accessed 27 July 2009.