Dendrobium compressum
Submitted by bpolky on Fri, 16/04/2010 - 15:48
Score: 8.5, Votes: 2
Dendrobium compressum
This plant visually seems to be a close visual match to three species I can find on the web. D. ypsilon, D. lamellatum, and D. platycaulon. According to the Kew list, D. platycaulon is correctly named as D. compressum. I cut out D. lamellatum first because it is listed as growing further away from here and is the latest flowering of the three, although this plant is early for all three. D. compressum (as D. platycaulon) and D. ypslion are said to differ in that the lip of D. ypsilon is said to be straight and D. compressum is curved. The lip on this one has a marked downward curve at the very end. On that basis my vote is going with D. compressum. Any expert input would be appreciated.
Vote Result
Score: 8.5, Votes: 2
Dendrobium species
On the links below you can see series of images of Dendrobium "ypsilon"? Not one image, in both series, shows the real charactheric of D. ypsilon: the Y-shaped lip. Hence the name. I think that these images show Dendrobium compressum.
http://www.bloggang.com/viewdiary.php?id=johnboon&group=30
http://www.bloggang.com/mainblog.php?id=sharrybaby&month=11-02-2010&grou...
"D. compressum and D. ypsilon are said to differ in that the lip of D. ypsilon is said to be straight and D. compressum is curved." This is confusing and maybe wrong.
The lip of Dendrobium ypsilon is Y-shaped, has a truncate apex and erose edge. (Nantiya Vaddhanaphuti)
On basis of elimination I agree with you that your plant is Dendrobium compressum. Be aware of what is for sale on Thai markets. During the Chiang Rai Flower Festival they were selling Bulbophyllums from Madagascar.
Thanks Rik
Thanks Rik. I will update the name now.
It would be so much easier if all the plants were genetically modified to have their names written on the underside!
Bruce.
Bruce Polky
great idea!
LOL....I reckon your idea is a corker and could well keep some 3rd or 4th year genetics students very busy indeed.
I live in hope that the plants are also connected to the world wide web with a direct link to the monocot list so that the name also updates when the database does!
Regards wellsy
The species misconception
The whole idea of 'species' is a bit of a misconception anyway. It is only there because we need to be able to categorize and name things. With my science background, I understand the need for it, but my genetics background also tells me that it is false. The species approach suggests that plants (and animals) are in groups that are identical within that group, and distinct outside that group. The reality is that there are a range of types that includes a continuous variation that we are trying to force into distinct groups. It is essential, but fundamentally flawed and that is partially why each new person that comes along wants to rearrange it.
Bruce Polky