Dendrobium palpebrae Lindley 1850 SECTION Densiflora

Flower Closeup Photo courtesy of Jay Pfahl

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Common Name The Brow-Like Dendrobium

Flower Size about 1 1/2" [about 3.75 cm]

This species is often confused with D. farmerii as the flowers and growth habit are very similar. The major difference is the length of the stem of the flower which is longer in D. palpebrae and has a more open look to the flower and has more spacing between the loosely, 6 to 10, fragrant flowers on the raceme, which arises at the nodes just below the leaves as well as being less pendant. This hot to warm growing epiphytic species has clustered, rather slender to subclavate, sulcate stems enveloped by membraneous sheaths carrying 2 to 5, towards the apex, lanceolate to oblong, acute leaves that blooms in the spring and late summer. This species is from Bangladesh, eastern Himalayas, Myanamr, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam at altitudes of 800 to 2500 meters where it is widespread. This species appreciates a drier winter followed by heavy water and fertilizer after spring blooming.

Synonyms Callista palpebrae (Lindl.) Kuntze 1891; Callista palpebrae (Lindl.) Brieger 1981; Dendrobium farmeri var. album Regel 1868

References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ; Orchids of Burma Grant 1895/1995; Orchid Species Culture; Dendrobium Bakers 1996; A Field Guide to the Wild Orchids of Thailand Vaddhanaphuti 2001; The Dendrobiums H. P. Wood 2006

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