Dendrobium rigidum

"Dockrillia rigida R.Br. is native to Australia and New Guinea. This orchid is very widespread and popular in New Guinea, where it usually grows in mangrove bushes in marshy coastal lowlands, at altitudes from sea level up to 700 m" 

Dendrobium rigidum R.Br., Prodr. Fl. Nov. Holland. 333. (1810).

Dendrobium rigidum R.Br., Photo by 蘇清記

its native range is New Guinea to N. Queensland

Latinh Name: 

Dendrobium rigidum R.Br.

Family: 

Orchidaceae Juss.

Synonym:

Callista rigida (R.Br.) Kuntze

Dendrobium desmotrichoides J.J.Sm.

Dockrillia desmotrichoides (J.J.Sm.) Brieger

Dockrillia rigida (R.Br.) Rauschert

English Name:

The Rigid-Leafed Dockrillia, The Smooth Tongue Orchid, The Smooth Tick Orchid.

Description: 

With a much branching rhizome giving rise to erect, drooping or pendulous, 1 to 3 noded stems carrying a single apical, fleshy, ovate or obovate, apiculate, acute or obtuse leaf. It blooms through the winter and spring on a 2" or less [5 cm or less] long, one to six flowered inflorescence that has tiny yellow and orange, heavily scented, inverted flowers.

Distribution:

New Guinea, Queensland.

Ecological:

At elevations below 700 meters in low hilly inland ranges, low savannahs, rainforests and mangroves and is a hot to warm growing, miniature sized epiphyte.

Flowering times:

Blooms through the winter and spring.

Flower size:

1.5 cm.

Cultivation:

Warm growing epiphyte, requires full sun.

Type:

Illust. Banks s.n. (Tropical Australia).

Notes:

Dendrobium rigidum R.Br. is easily recognised by the 1-leaved shoots carrying a single laterally flattened leaf.