Dendrobium capituliflorum
Submitted by wellsy on Wed, 29/10/2008 - 20:21
Score: 0.0, Votes: 0
Dendrobium capituliflorum Rolfe, Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1901: 146 (1901).
Synonyms:
Homotypic Synonyms:
Pedilonum capituliflorum (Rolfe) Brieger, Schlechter Orchideen 1(11-12): 679 (1981).
Heterotypic Synonyms:
Dendrobium confusum J.J.Sm., Bull. Dép. Agric. Indes Néerl. 45: 5 (1911).
New Guinea, Bismark Arch. Solomon Islands
Originally listed as Dendrobium constrictum name edited as per below discussion. Thanks to all!
I have had this unusual dendrobe in my collection with the name Dendrobium mimiense on the tag for around 5 or 6 years but on checking it seems it has been mislabelled and must be Dendrobium constrictum (or the synonym:- Dendrobium miniense). Can anyone confirm this ID?
Vote Result
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D.constrictum
Steve, I think that you should consider D.capituliflorum, Rolfe Kew Bull.(1901)
and that the following passage may help with the identification of your plant.
'This species is a widely distributed orchid of the lowland and hill-forests in PNG and Iran Jaya.
It may be distinguished easily from the related species by its leaves which are grey-green on the upper side and reddish underneath. Among the species in PNG it is related most closely to D.mimiense Schltr., the leaves of which are green on both sides together with broader petals and a differently shaped labellum plate.
The flowers of D. capituliflorum are white with a pale green centre to the lamina of the labellum and a pale green anther.'
You may have another image of your plant showing the flowers open wider?
If there is still some doubt perhaps the colour of the leaves may be the clincher.
bernabu
bernabu
whole plant
Thanks for taking the time to get back with this information Bernard!
Please see the image of the whole plant and the detail of the flowers which I have just added Bernard which seems to point to it being D. mimiense (Dendrobium constrictum accepted name).
The flowers have the pale green anther cap but does that also suit the description of D. mimiense you have seen?
Regards wellsy
D.consrictum
Let me quote how Schlechter describes D.mimiense;
"The species externally resembles D.constrictum JJ Smith and D.capituliflorum Rolfe.
It is related closely to the first, but differs in its longer mentum, more pointed sepals, and the shape of the lamina of the lip. The flowers are pure white."
If you refer back to your latest image you can see the green centre and pale green anther that Schlechter refers to when describing capituliflorum.
I wonder if the problem of identification arises because of the three different authers involved, we know that there was no love lost between JJ Smith and R Schlechter.
bernabu
bernabu
Den. capituliflorum
Hi Wellsy, I have to agree with Bernard that your plant is Den. capituliflorum.
Bill
what about the lack of redish
what about the lack of redish tinge under the leaves guys? This one is all greyish/green leaves?
Regards wellsy
could be cultural
Could be a cultural thing Steve, seems to me you are half way there with the greyish green leaves. I grant you that Schlechter wasn't always 100% right he did so much work in what was German Guinea in the early 1900's and his book of his work there is a masterpiece.
bernabu
bernabu
Dendrobium con
Dear Wellsy
take a look at Internet Orchid species Photo Encyclopedia,you will see your plant is mostly like Den .constrictum
Regards Francine
Francine
constrictum
hi Francine, I have checked the IOSPE site for D.constrictum and to my eyes the image doesn't look like wellsy's plant,the colour of the flowers are all white and the sepals are a lot narrower and pointed but reading the references quoted, it mentions Schlechters description.
bernabu
bernabu