Dendrobium x ruppiosum

Dendrobium × ruppiosum Clemesha, Orchadian 7: 91 (1982).

Synonyms: Thelychiton × ruppiosus (Clemesha) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones, Orchadian 13: 492 (2002).

Hybrid formula: D. jonesii × D. speciosum var. pedunculatum

This can be a very large growing plant which is found as either a lithophyte or an epiphyte in the wet tropics area of north queensland. The plant itself is midway in form between the two parents in most respects with the leaves being the biggest giveaway in my opinion. They are not so leathery as D. speciosum but certainly thicker than the leaves of D. jonesii.

The plant depicted is quite historic as it is a division of the plant which is reputed to have been used by Clemesha as the 'Type Plant' to describe Dendrobium × ruppiosum in 1982.