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Dendrobium convolutum Rolfe, Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew (1906) 375.
Type: Sander cult. s.n. (XI-1898, New Guinea) (holo K).
Synonyms:
An epiphytic herb. Pseudobulbs clustered, subclavate, up to 30 by 1.3 cm, 4-5-noded below leaves, yellow, 3-leaved at apex. Leaves subcoriaceous, spreading or suberect, elliptic-lanceolate, acute, up to 13.5 by 5 cm. Inflorescences suberect, few-flowered, 10-12 cm long; bracts ovate, apiculate, 6 by 3 mm. Flowers opening widely; ovary and pedicel 2.5 cm long. Dorsal sepal ovate, acute, 1.6-1.8 by 0.8 cm; lateral sepals obliquely triangular, acute, 1.5 by 1.2 cm; mentum obliquely conical, 1 cm long. Petals narrowly elliptic-oblanceolate, acute or subacute, 1.4 by 0.5 cm. Lip 3-lobed, recurved, 1.6-1.8 by 1.7-2.3 cm; side-lobes erect, subquadrate, slightly dilated above; midlobe transversely oblong-reniform, apiculate; callus 3-ridged, outer ridges longer than mid-ridge. Column dentate at apex, 2 mm long; foot 1 cm long.
(after Cribb, 1983).
Sepals and petals apple green; lip with maroon veins on side lobes and heavily suffused maroon on midlobe; callus glossy, maroon.
Epiphyte in rainforest near the coast. Altitude 0 to 650 m.
New Guinea.
Warm growing epiphyte.
June.
The flowers of Dendrobium convolutum Rolfe resemble those of Dendrobium macrophyllum A.Rich. but are smaller, distinctively coloured, lack any hairs on the outer surface and have a distinctive callus on the lip. It was described by Rolfe from a plant sent to him by F. Sander which arrived in a batch of Dendrobium atroviolaceum. As the latter is found only in Milne Bay Province, this may well be the type locality of Dendrobium convolutum as well.
(after Cribb, 1983).
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