Dendrobium spectabile

Object Details

Description
This large to medium sized orchid is known for its strange, twisted and crinkled flower. On top of this, the lip of the flower is also hinged, bouncing as the wind blows to attract its pollinator.
Bloom Time (Northern Hemisphere)
November to May; peaks from January to March
Provenance
From a cultivated plant of known (indirect) wild origin
Range
New Guinea to New Caledonia
Habitat
Swampy lowland or lower mountain forests, or planted coconut trees; 985-6560ft (300-2000m)
Topic
Orchids
Living Collections
See more items in
Smithsonian Gardens Orchid Collection
On Display
National Portrait Gallery, Kogod Courtyard
Data Source
Smithsonian Gardens
Accession Number
2017-0549A
Restrictions & Rights
CC0
Common Name
The Grand Dendrobium
Group
[vascular plants]
Class
Equisetopsida
Subclass
Magnoliidae
Superorder
Lilianae
Order
Asparagales
Family
Orchidaceae
Subfamily
Epidendroideae
Genus
Dendrobium
Species
spectabile
Life Form
Epiphytic
Bloom Characteristics
Inflorescence is 8-16" (20-40 cm) long with 5-20 twisted, cream colored flowers veined in purple. Flowers are 3" (7.5 cm) across and last for 6 weeks.
Fragrance
Sweet (strong)
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ax7b67303a9-593a-4e52-bfc9-402749e832b9
Record ID
ofeo-sg_2017-0549A
Photographed by: Hannele Lahti
Photographed by: Hannele Lahti
Photographed by: Hannele Lahti
Photographed by: Creekside Digital
Back to Top