The MIOS Journal 24. 2014. Gogoi, K. et al. Orchids in...

5

******************************************************************

Orchids in Assam, India: The Genus DENDROBIUM Swartz

Khyanjeet Gogoi¹, Raju Das², Samuel Rai³ and Rajendra Yonzone4

¹The Orchid Society of Eastern Himalaya, Regional Orchid Germplasm

Conservation & Propagation Centre (Assam Circle)

Daisa Bordoloi Nagar, Talap, Tinsukia- 786156, Assam, India

²Nature’s Foster, P. Box 41, Shastri Road, P.O. Bongaigaon, 783380, Assam,

India

³Cinchona and Other Medicinal Plants, Mungpoo, Darjeeling, W. B., India 4Dept. of Botany, St. Joseph's College, P.O. North Point -734104, District Darjee-

ling, W. B., India

¹Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Assam, the second largest state of North-East India, is a treasure trove of or-

chids. In an orchid flora of Assam 53 species of Dendrobium were recorded during

an intensive survey during 1996-2012. The present paper deals with Dendrobium

species diversity and distribution in Assam. This attempt is the first step to correct

taxonomic identifications; to work out currently accepted botanical names with

flowering periods, habitats, and the distribution of the genus Dendrobium within

this area. This paper also briefly describes and illustrates different species of Den-

drobium available in Assam.

Key words: Orchid, Dendrobium, Assam, Enumeration.

INTRODUCTION In terms of the number of species, the orchid family is the largest of the angio-

sperm flora. In India it is mainly distributed in the Eastern Himalayas along with

the country’s northeastern region. A huge number of orchids are found in India,

and this numerical strength in terms of species varies from 800 to 1500, making

India one of the richest orchid floras in tropical Asia (Kumar and Manilal, 1990;

Dressler, 1981; Santapau and Henry, 1973). In the recent past, from statistical

analyses of the angiospermic flora, it has been revealed that the orchid family,

with 184 genera and 1,331 species, forms the largest order of flowering plants in

Eastern Himalayas (Misra, 2007). The Assam region is one of the major habitats

of Dendrobium in the world and the centre of species diversity of one of the im-

portant and interesting epiphytic groups of orchids known for their beautiful and

long-lasting flowers of diverse morphological features.

Dendrobium Sw. is one of the three largest orchid genera containing approxi-

mately 1197 species (Cribb & Govaerts, 2005) as well as one of the most im-

portant genera in commercial horticulture. The genus Dendrobium was established

in 1799 by O. Swartz in Nova Acta Regiae Societatis Scientiarum Upsalieniss

(Chen et al., 2009) and is widely distributed throughout India across to Japan,

The MIOS Journal 15(8): 5-24. 2014. Gogoi, K. et al. Orchids in Assam, India: The Genus Dendrob...

6

south to Malaysia and Indonesia, east to Australia, New Guinea, and the Pacific

islands (Chen et al., 2009). In India, it is the second largest genus among the orchi-

daceae and is represented by 103 species distributed in the Eastern Himalayas,

Western Himalayas, Western Peninsular area, and Andaman and Nicobar Island

(Misra, 2007) out of which 77 species are from northeast region (Singh et al.,

2001) and nearly 53 species grow in Assam. Dendrobium assamicum Chowdhury

was reported from Assam in 1988 and it has been already declared as extinct due

to habitat destruction.

There are few comprehensive accounts on Dendrobium, therefore, a survey on

biodiversity of Dendrobium, its distribution and its present status has been done

for the study and assessment of its present status in Assam.

Study Area

Assam bears a separate identity phytogeographically and represents different

types of plant communities. It extends between the latitudes of 24°8’ N - 28°2’ N

and longitudes of 89°42’ E - 96° E. The T-shaped state is sprawled in an area of

78,438 km². It is bordered by the Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland,

Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya, and West Bengal. Assam shares its inter-

national borders with Bhutan and Bangladesh. Assam is to be found in the central

part of North-East India. It is connected to the rest of the country through a narrow

strip known as Chicken’s Neck in West Bengal. Its unique ecosystem favors luxu-

riant growth of plants considered as Natures reservoir of plants resources. Almost

all varieties of plants relating to different climatic conditions are found in the state

where orchids are a major component of vegetation.

According to the State of Forest Report 1997 of Forest Survey of India, the for-

est cover of Assam, excluding grasslands stands at 24,459 sq. km. Owing to the

location in the sub-tropical zone and the prevalence of the Monsoon climate; the

landmass of Assam possesses mainly evergreen, semi-evergreen and deciduous

trees. However, depending upon the intensity of precipitation, humidity and tem-

perature, the forests are classified as wet or dry. Variation occurs in growth of dif-

ferent species of trees in different parts of the state due to different soil and ground

water regimes and other geographical factors. The general trend of change in the

forest type on the basis of predominant plant species from Western Assam to the

East is moist deciduous, semi-evergreen, evergreen and rain forest respectively.

The vegetation cover found in Assam can be classified as- Evergreen/semi-

evergreen Forest 9797.69 sq. km; deciduous forest 4537.33 sq. km.; Degraded

Forest 2137.64 sq. km.; and Grassland 2369.18-19631. 85 sq. km.

Climate

The climate of Assam is typically ‘tropical monsoon rainfall’ type, with a high

level of humidity and heavy rainfall. Since the state of Assam is known to have

maximum amount of rainfall, the temperatures never go beyond the standard 350 C

to 380 C. It has a moderate climate with warm summers and mild winters. In the

monsoon season, the whole state comes alive with the beauty of nature. Climatic

variations can be seen regionally. On the one hand, the hilly regions of Assam

experience a suitable sub-alpine climatic condition while on the other hand, the


mailto:[email protected]

7

plain lands of the state go through excessively humid weather.

There are four distinct seasons in Assam - summer, monsoon, autumn and win-

ter.

Summers: The summer season in Assam starts from the month of March and

extends till the end of June. The season is characterized by extreme humidity and

frequent showers. The average temperature during this time of the year is between

35o and 38o C.

Monsoons: This season brings relief from the scorching heat of the summers.

The average annual rainfall in the state is around 70 inches in the West and around

120 inches in the East.

Winters: The winter season in Assam is basically characterized by scanty rainfall

and misty mornings and afternoons. It starts in November and continues till the

month of February. The average temperature during this time of the year is around

6o to 8o C.

Spring and Autumn: In Assam, in the spring (March-April) and autumn

(September-October) seasons, receives moderate temperature and rainfall, and is

neither too cold nor too hot.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The intensive field survey work was carried out during 2006- 2012 and covered

all the seasons of the year in all parts of the forest areas of Assam. Collected orchid

specimens along with Dendrobium species were made into standard mounted her-

barium sheets following the procedure of Jain and Roa, 1977. The authors have

done photographs and sketches of orchid species available from the region. The

specimens were identified, described, and nomenclature checked with the help of

the literatures of Hooker, 1890; King and Pantling, 1898; Seidenfaden, 1962; Deva

& Nathani, 1968; Deorani & Nathani., 1995; Chen et al., 2009; Pradhan, 1979;

Pearce and Cribb, 2002; Mishra, 2007; Lucksom, 2007; Chowdhery, 1998, and

specimens authentication was done in the herbarium of the Department of Botany,

Guwahati University and BSI Shillong (Assam herbarium).

Taxonomic studies

Dendrobium Swartz belongs in subfamily: Epidendroideae; tribe: Dendrobieae,

and subtribe: Dendrobiinae. Fifty three species of Dendrobium were recorded from

the Assam, namely, D. acinaciforme Roxb., D. aduncum Lindl., D. amoenum Wall.

ex Lindl., D. amplum Lindl., D. anceps Sw., D. angulatum Lindl., D. aphyllum

(Roxb.) C.E.C.Fisch., Dendrobium assamicum S.Chowdhury, D. bensoniae

Rchb.f., D. bicameratum Lindl., D. chrysanthum Wall. ex Lindl., D. chryseum

Rolfe, D. chrysotoxum Lindl., D. crepidatum Lindl. & Paxton, D. cumulatum

Lindl., D. darjeelingense Pradhan, D. densiflorum Lindl., D. devonianum Paxton,

D. eriiflorum Griff., D. falconeri Hook., D. farmeri Paxton, D. fimbriatum Hook.,

D. formosum Roxb. ex Lindl., D. fugax Rchb.f., D. gibsonii Paxton, D. griffithi-

anum Lindl., D. heterocarpum Wall. ex Lindl., D. hookerianum Lindl., D. jenkinsii

Wall. ex Lindl., D. keithii Ridl., D. kentrophyllum Hook.f., D. lindleyi Steud., D.

lituiflorum Lindl., D. mannii Ridl., D. moniliforme (L.) Sw., D. moschatum (Buch.-

Ham.) Sw., D. nathanielis Rchb.f., D. nobile Lindl., D. pachyphyllum (Kuntze)


8

Bakh.f., D. palpebrae Lindl., D. parciflorum Rchb.f. ex Lindl., D. parishii Rchb.f.,

D. polyanthum Wall. ex Lindl., D. praecinctum Rchb.f., D. pulchellum Roxb. ex

Lindl., D. ruckeri Lindl., D. salaccense (Blume) Lindl., D. spatella Rchb.f., D.

stuposum Lindl., D. sulcatum Lindl., D. terminale C.S.P. Parish & Rchb.f., D.

transparens Wall. ex Lindl., D. wardianum R.Warner, D. williamsonii Day &

Rchb.f. Out of these, 3 species, namely, D. keithii, D. graffithianum, D. pachy-

phyllum are endemic to the state. Most of the species were reported by earlier

workers. All species were found in epiphytic conditions, except D. moschatum

which was also found occasionally in lithophytic conditions (Figs. 1-4).


Fig. 1. Figures of flowers, intact.

9


Fig. 2. Figures of flowers, perigynous images.

10


Fig. 3. Figures of flowers, labella.

11


Fig. 4. Figures of flowers, column with ovary.

12

RESULTS AND ENUMERATION OF SPECIES

Dendrobium acinaciforme Roxb., F l. Ind. ed. 1832, 3: 487 (1832); Hook. f., F l.

Brit. Ind. 5: 723 (1890); Pradhan, Indian Orchid-II, 344 (1979); Barua, Orch. Fl.

Kamrup dist. 151 (2001); Chowdhry, Orch. Fl. Arunachal Prad., 283 (1998); Mish-

ra, Orch. India, 291 (2007). [Fig. 5]

Dendrobium scalpelliforme Teijsm.

& Binn., Natuurk. Tijdschr. Ned.-

Indië 27: 17 (1864).

Stem 10–30 cm long, compressed;

leaves 3.5–5 × 0.6–0.8 cm, lanceo-

late, distichous, fleshy; inflo-

rescence racemose, flowers solitary,

yellowish-white, small, about 1cm.

long.

Flowering: June – August.

Habitat: Epiphyte on tree trunk in

dense humid evergreen forest.

Distribution: India, China, Thai-

land, Cambodia, Vietnam and Ma-

laysia.

Dendrobium aduncum Lindl., Edwards's Bot. Reg. 28 (Misc.): 58 (1842); Hook.

f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 5: 730 (1890); Pradhan Ind. Orchid-II, 324 (1979); Chowdhry,

Orch. Fl. Arunachal Prad., 283 (1998); Mishra, Orch. India, 291 (2007). [Fig. 6]

Dendrobium aduncum var. faulhaberianum (Schltr.) Tang & Wang, Acta Phytotax.

Sin. 1: 80 (1951).

Plant pendulous. Pseudobulbs, cy-

lindric, 50–100 cm, with many

nodes. Leaves many , oblong or

narrowly elliptic, 5–7.5 × 1–1.8 cm,

, linear lanceolate, acute acuminate.

Inflorescences often several, zigzag,

each racems of 4–9 flowers. Flow-

ers 1.2–2 cm across, pale purple;

sepals and petals pale pink, lip

white, callus green, column white,

anther cap deep purple.

Flowering: May- June.

Habitat: Epiphyte on a small tree

trunk in dense humid evergreen

forest,

Distribution: N.E. India, Bhutan,

Burma, China, Thailand, Vietnam.


Fig. 5. Dendrobium acinaciforme Roxb., 1832.

Fig. 6. Dendrobium aduncum Lindl., 1842.

13

Dendrobium amoenum Wall. ex Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl.: 78 (1830); Hook.

f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 5: 738 (1890); Pradhan, Indian Orchid-II, 315 (1979); Chowdhry,

Orch. Fl. Arunachal Prad., 283 (1998); Mishra, Orch. India, 291 (2007). [Fig. 7]

Callista amoena (Wall. ex Lindl.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 654 (1891).

Dendrobium egertoniae Lindl., Edwards's Bot. Reg. 33: t. 36 (1847).

Dendrobium mesochlorum Lindl., Edwards's Bot. Reg. 33: t. 36 (1847).

Epiphytic or lithophytic. Stem 30–

75 cm long, slender, slightly

thickened at nodes, pendulous.

Leaves 5–12 × 0.7–2.2 cm, ob-

long- oblanceolate, acute. Inflo-

rescence many, 0.3–3 cm long,

fasciculate, from nodes of leafless

stem. Flowers 3–4.2 cm across,

white with sepals and petals

tipped with purple, fragrant.


Habitat: Epiphyte on a small tree

trunk in dense humid evergreen

forest,

Distribution: India, Bhutan and

Nepal.

Dendrobium amplum Lindl. in N. Wallich, Pl. Asiat. Rar. 1: 25 (1830); Hook. f.,

Fl. Brit. Ind. 5: 711 (1890). [Fig. 8]

Epigeneium amplum (Lindl.) Sum-

merh., Kew Bull. 12: 260 (1957).

Pseudobulbs ovoid or elliptic, 20–

50 × 7–20 mm, 2-leaved, enclosed

in membranous sheaths. Leaf ellip-

tic or oblongelliptic, 6–22.5 × 5.5

cm, leathery. Inflorescence much

shorter than leaves, 1-flowered.

Flowers spreading, yellowish

green, spotted with deep brown,

large.

Flowering: November.

Habitat: Growing Lithophytic on

rocks or epiphytic on tree trunks in

forests or along streams.

Distribution: China, Bhutan, NE

India, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand,

Vietnam.


Fig. 7. Dendrobium amoenum Wall. ex Lindl., 1830.

Fig. 8. Dendrobium amplum Lindl., 1830.

14

Dendrobium anceps Sw., Kongl. Vetensk. Acad. Nya Handl. 21: 246 (1800);

Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 5: 724 (1890); Pradhan, Indian Orchid-II, 344 (1979);

Chowdhry, Orch. Fl. Arunachal Prad. 287 (1998); Barua , Orch. Fl. Kamrup dist.

154 (2001); Mishra, Orch. India, 292 (2007). [Fig. 9]

Aporum anceps (Sw.) Lindl., Gen.

Sp. Orchid. Pl.: 71 (1830).

Ditulima anceps (Sw.) Raf., Fl.

Tellur. 4: 41 (1838).

Plants small to large sized, pendu-

lous. Stem flattened, zigzag, upto

50 cm long. Leaf 2.5–4.5×0.6–1.3

cm, many, fleshy, deciduous, disti-

chous, ovate-lanceolate, acute.

Inflorescence short, terminal and

lateral. Flowers yellowish-green,

small, single, fleshy, fragrant, aris-

ing from in between the leaf axils.

Flowering: April-July.

Habitat: Growing Lithophytic on

rocks or epiphytic on tree trunks in

tropical and subtropical valleys.

Distribution: India, Bangladesh,

Nepal, Bhutan, Andaman Islands,

Myanamar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Dendrobium angulatum Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl.: 88 (1830); Mishra, Orch.

India, 292 (2007).

Dendrobium podagraria Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 728 (1890), nom. illeg.

Dendrobium inconcinnum Ridl., J. Linn. Soc., Bot. 32: 255 (1896).

Plants small to medium sized. Stem slender, lightly swollen above the base. Leaf 3

–12, linear to oblong, widely spaced. Inflorescence short, arising from the upper

nodes. Flower solitary, white with yellow.

Flowering: April-May.

Habitat: Epiphytic on tree trunks in tropical and subtropical forest.

Distribution: India (Assam), Bangladesh, Burma, southwestern Thailand and Vi-

etnam.

Dendrobium aphyllum (Roxb) Fisher, in Gamble, F l. Press. Madras 3: 1416

(1928); Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 5: 738 (1890); Chowdhry, Orch. Fl. Arunachal Prad.

287 (1998); Pradhan, Ind. Orchid-II, 321 (1979); Barua, Orch. fl. Kamrup Dist;

169 (2001); Mishra, Orch. India, 292 (2007). [Fig. 10]

Dendrobium cucullatum R.Br., Bot. Reg. 7: t. 548 (1821).

Dendrobium pierardii Roxb. ex Hook., Exot. Fl. 1: t. 9 (1822).

Plans with pseudobulbs, 60–120 cm long, pendulous, leafless when flowering.

Leaves deciduous, sessile, sheathing, internode 3–4 cm. Flowers 1–3 each node,

pale rose, 4.5–5 cm across; lip pubscent, orbicular at the base, shortly convolute-


Fig. 9. Dendrobium anceps Sw., 1800.

15

ciliate, pale yellow with radiating streaks at the base.

Flowering: April – May.

Habitat: Epiphyte in mixed

deciduous forest or open

forest.

Distribution: India, Nepal,

Bhutan, Burma, China,

Thailand, Cambodia, Vi-

etnam, Peninsular Malaysia.

Dendrobium bensoniae

Rchb.f., Bot. Zeitung

(Berlin) 25: 230 (1867);

Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 5:

739 (1890); Pradhan, Indian

Orchid-II, 314 (1979);

Mishra, Orch. India, 292

(2007).

Callista bensoniae (Rchb.f.)

Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2:

654 (1891).

Pseudobulb yellow, fleshy,

erect or pendulous, cylindrical, 30–75 cm long. Leaves linear, lanceolate or oval,

leathery, deciduous, 5 cm long. Inflorescences 1 or 2 arising from the upper nodes

of leafless stems, 1–3 flowered, racemose. Flowers 5–6 cm across, fragrant, sepals

and petals white or cream, lip white with orange disk and two dark large black-

purple spots at the base, orbicular,

tomentose.


Habitat: Epiphytic on tree trunks

in lowland and sub-montane

moist forests.

Distribution: NE India, Burma

and possibly Thailand.

Dendrobium bicameratum Lindl., Edwards's Bot. Reg. 25

(Misc.): 59 (1839); Hook. f., Fl.

Brit. Ind. 5: 729 (1890); Chow-

dhry, Orch. Fl. Arunachal Prad.,

287 (1998); Pradhan, Indian Or-

chid-II, 323 (1979); Mishra,

Orch. India, 292 (2007). [Fig. 11]

Callista bicamerata (Lindl.)

Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 654

(1891).


Fig. 10. Dendrobium aphyllum (Roxb) Fisher, 1928.

Fig. 11. Dendrobium bicameratum Lindl., 1839.

16

Dendrobium breviflorum Lindl., J. Proc. Linn. Soc., Bot. 3: 14 (1858).

Pseudobulb 8.5–23.5 cm long, fusiform, curved. Leaves 4–6, alternate, elliptic-

lanceolate, acute, usually 6.5–10.2 × 1.2–1.5 cm. Inflorescences 1–2, 1.4 cm long,

2–5 flowered, arising from the nodes. Flowers 1–1.2 cm across, pale yellow to

pale green striped with purplish pink to red, lip pale yellow at base.

Flowering: July-August

Habitat: Epiphytic on tree trunks in temperate forests.

Distribution: Himalayas Bangladesh, Assam, India, Nepal, Myanamar and Thai-

land.

Dendrobium chrysanthum Wall. ex Lindl., Edwards's Bot. Reg. 15: t. 1299

(1830); Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 5: 747 (1890); Chowdhry, Orch. Fl. Arunachal

Prad., 290 (1998); Pradhan, Indian Orchid-II, 322 (1979); Mishra, Orch. India, 292

(2007). [Fig. 12]

Callista chrysantha (Wall.

ex Lindl.) Kuntze, Revis.

Gen. Pl. 2: 654 (1891).

Dendrobium paxtonii

Lindl., Edwards's Bot. Reg.

25(Misc.): 43 (1839).

Stems pendulous or curv-

ing, cylindric, 50–200 cm,

stout, fleshy. Leaves oblong

-lanceolate, usually 13–19

× 1.5–4.5 cm, papery, acu-

minate. Inflorescences leaf-

opposed, lateral, 2–6 flow-

ered. Flowers thickly tex-

tured, yellow, lip disk with

a chestnut blotch on either

side.

Flowering: April- May

Habitat: Epiphytic on tree

trunks in dense forests,

lithophytic on wet rocks in valleys.

Distribution: China, Bhutan, northern India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, northern

Thailand, Vietnam.

Dendrobium chryseum Rolfe, Gard. Chron., III, 3: 233 (1888); Hook. f., F l.

Brit. Ind. 5: 748 (1890); Mishra, Orch. India, 292 (2007).

Dendrobium aurantiacum Rchb.f., Gard. Chron. 1887(2): 98 (1887), nom. illeg. (a

synonym).

Stems cylindric, usually 25–35 cm, slender. Leaves linear or narrowly oblong, 8–

10 × 0.4–1.4 cm, leathery, base sheathing, apex obtuse and emarginate or some-

times subacute and obliquely hooked. Inflorescence lateral on old leafless stem, 1

cm usually 1 or 2 flowered. Flowers spreading, 6.5 cm wide, concolorous yellow,


Fig. 12. Dendrobium chrysanthum Wall. ex Lindl., 1830.

http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/namedetail.do;jsessionid=68E776AAA43EB79BB0A34CBEE62C6D1D?name_id=31108




17

center a darker shade, occasionally with large purple spots on sepals and petals and

a purple spot on lip disk, inner surface of lip sometimes with several red stripes.


Habitat: Epiphytic on tree trunks in high-mountain broad-leaved forests.

Distribution: NE India, Myanmar, China.

N.B. Dendrobium chryseum has been

more widely known as D. aurantiacum H.

G. Reichenbach.

Dendrobium chrysotoxum Lindl., Ed-

wards's Bot. Reg. 33: t. 19 (1847); Hook.

f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 5: 750 (1890); Chowdhry,

Orch. Fl. Arunachal Prad., 293 (1998);

Pradhan, Indian Orchid-II, 305 (1979);

Mishra, Orch. India, 292 (2)007. [Fig. 13]

Callista chrysotoxa (Lindl.) Kuntze,

Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 654 (1891).

Dendrobium suavissimum Rchb.f., Gard.

Chron. 1874(1): 406 (1874).

Stem pseudobulbous, erect, fusiform, 6–30 cm. Leaves 2–5, subterminal, oblong,

to 19 × 2–3.5 cm or wider, leathery, base contracted, apex acute and hooked. Inflo-

rescence subterminal, ascending or slightly pendulous, to 20 cm, laxly many flow-

ered. Flowers slightly fragrant, thickly textured, golden yellow, lip deeper golden

yellow with red stripes on each side at base, anther cap pale yellow.

Flowering: April-June

Habitat: Epiphytic on tree trunks in

sunny evergreen broad-leaved forests,

lithophytic on rocks in open forests.

Distribution: China, NE India, Laos,

Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam.

Dendrobium crepidatum Lindl. &

Paxton, Paxton's Fl. Gard. 1: 63

(1850); Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 5: 740

(1890); Chowdhry, Orch. Fl. Aruna-

chal Prad., 293 (1998); Pradhan, Indi-

an Orchid-II, 319 (1979); Mishra,

Orch. India, 292 (2007). [Fig. 14]

Dendrobium lawianum Lindl., J.

Proc. Linn. Soc., Bot. 3: 10 (1858).

Epiphytic, stem short, tufted, suberect

to pendulous, terete, striated, 40–45

cm long, many noded, covered with a

papery sheath, slender, pendulous, internodes striate. Leaves 5–9, oblong to nar-

rowly lanceolate, acute. Flowers in pairs from the nodes, white tinged with lilac,


Fig. 13. Dendrobium chrysotoxum Lindl., 1847.

Fig. 14. Dendrobium crepidatum Lindl. & Paxton, Paxton's Fl. Gard. 1: 63. 1850.

18

waxy; lip simple, white with a large yellow blotch.

Flowering: March – April.

Habitat: Epiphytic on tree trunks in evergreen forests, lithophytic on rocks in open

forests.

Distribution: Hainan, China, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sikkim, Myanmar, Thai-

land, Laos and Vietnam.

Dendrobium cumulatum

Lindl., Gard. Chron. 1855:

756 (1855); Hook. f. Fl.

Brit. India, 5: 731 (1890);

Pradhan, Indian Orchid-II,

342 (1979); Chowdhry,

Orch. Fl. Arunachal Prad.,

295 (1998); Mishra, Orch.

India, 292 (2007). [Fig. 15]

Callista cumulata (Lindl.)

Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2:

654 (1891).

Dendrobium eoum Ridl., J.

Linn. Soc., Bot. 32: 261

(1896).

Epiphytic, stem erect, 15–60

cm long, slender, pendulous,

internodes striate; leaves 5–

10×1–2cm, oblong-lanceolate,

acute; inflorescence corym-

biform 4–5 cm long; flowers 3.5 cm long, flowers white with purple, pendent.

Flowering: March – May.

Habitat: Epiphyte on tree trunk in forest along a small stream.

Distribution: India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Bor-

neo.

Dendrobium darjeelingense Pradhan, Indian Orchids: Guide Identif. & Cult. 2:

336 (1979); Mishra, Orch. India, 292 (2007).

Epiphytic, Pseudobulbs conical to fusiform, 1–3 cm high, 5–7 mm in diameter.

Inflorescence 2–3, from nodes, 9–15 mm long, 2–5 flowered. Flower pale-green in

colour.

Flowering: November – January.

Habitat: Epiphyte on tree trunk.

Distribution: India (Assam, Darjeeling).

Dendrobium densiflorum Wallich, Pl. Asiat. Rar. 1: 34 (1830); Hook. f., F l. Brit.

Ind. 5: 748 (1890); Chowdhry, Orch. Fl. Arunachal Prad., 295 (1998); Pradhan,

Indian Orchid-II, 305 (1979); Barua, Orch. Fl. Kamrup dist. 165 (2001); Mishra,

Orch. India, 292 (2007). [Fig. 16]


Fig. 15. Dendrobium cumulatum Lindl., 1855.

19

Callista densiflora (Lindl.)

Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 654

(1891).

Dendrobium clavatum Roxb., Fl.

Ind. ed. 1832, 3: 481 (1832).

Stems strongly clavate, swollen,

25–40 cm. Leaves 3 or 4, sub-

terminal, oblong-lanceolate, 8–17

× 2.6–6 cm, leathery, base not

decurrent into clasping sheath,

apex acute. Inflorescence sub-

terminal, pendulous, densely

many flowered. Flowers spread-

ing, 3–4 cm across; sepals and

petals pale yellow, lip golden

yellow, column and anther cap

orange-yellow.

Flowering: April-July


in evergreen broad-leaved forests, lithophytic on rocks in mountain valleys.

Distribution: China, Bhutan, NE India, Myanmar, Nepal, northern Thailand.

Dendrobium devonianum Paxton,

Paxton's Mag. Bot. 7: 169 (1840);

Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 5: 743 (1890);

Chowdhry, Orch. Fl. Arunachal Prad.,

298 (1998); Pradhan, Indian Orchid-II,

318 (1979); Mishra, Orch. India, 292

(2007). [Fig. 17]

Callista devoniana (Paxton) Kuntze,

Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 654 (1891).

Dendrobium moulmeinense

C.S.P.Parish ex Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India

5: 746 (1890).

Stems pendulous, cylindric, 50–90 cm,

slender, 3–5 mm in diam., slightly

fleshy. Leaves narrowly ovate-

lanceolate, 8–13 × 1.2–2.5 cm, leathery,

base with clasping sheath, apex long

acuminate. Inflorescences often several, 1- or 2-flowered. Flowers scented, spread-

ing, thinly textured; dorsal sepal white, upper part tinged with purplish red, veins

purple, lip white, front purplish red, with purplish red stripes on both sides below

middle, disk with a yellow spot on either side.

Flowering: March-June

Habitat: Epiphytic on tree trunks in thick mountain forests.

Distribution: China, Bhutan, NE India, Myanmar, northern Thailand, Vietnam.


Fig. 16. Dendrobium densiflorum Wallich., 1830.

Fig. 17. Dendrobium devonianum Paxton., 1840.

20

Dendrobium eriiflorum Griff., Ic. Pl. Asiat. 3: 316 (1851); Hook. f., F l. Brit. Ind.

5: 715 (1890); Chowdhry, Orch. Fl. Arunachal Prad., 298 (1998); Pradhan, Indian

Orchid-II, 338 (1979); Mishra, Orch. India, 293 (2007). [Fig. 18]

Callista eriiflora (Griff.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 654 (1891).

Dendrobium eriiflorum var.

sikkimense Lucksom, Orchids

Sikkim N. E. Himalaya: 631

(2007), no type.

Epiphyte. Stem7.5–20.5 cm

long, erect, clustered, fleshy

at the base, covered with

sheaths. Leaves many, 4–8 ×

0.5–1 cm, deciduous, linear-

lanceolate, acute. Inflo-

rescence erect to arching, 4–8

cm long, laxly, 6–10 flow-

ered. Flowers 1.5-2 cm

across, greenish white.

Flowering: August-October.

Habitat: Epiphytic on tree

trunks in subtropical forests.

Distribution: India, Nepal,

Bhutan, Myanamar and Ma-

laysia.

Dendrobium falconeri Hook., Bot. Mag. 82: t. 4944 (1856); Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind.

5: 742 (1890); Chowdhry, Orch.

Fl. Arunachal Prad., 298 (1998);

Pradhan, Indian Orchid-II, 318

(1979); Mishra, Orch. India, 298

(2007). [Fig. 19]

Callista falconeri (Hook.) Kuntze,

Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 654 (1891).

Epiphyte. Stem 30–90 cm long,

beaded, pendent, slender, swollen

at nodes, bearing many branchlets,

internodes ribbed. Leaves few, 5–

10×0.15–0.4 cm, linear, many

nerved. Inflorescence fasciculate,

lateral, arising from nodes, 1 or

rarely 2 flowered. Flowers 5–7.5

cm across, spreading, pale yellow.



forests.

Distribution: India, Bhutan, China and Myanmar.


Fig. 18. Dendrobium eriiflorum Griff., 1851.

Fig. 19. Dendrobium falconeri Hook., 1856.

21

Dendrobium farmeri Paxton, Paxton's Mag. Bot. 15: 241 (1849); Hook. f., F l.

Brit. Ind. 5: 750 (1890); Chowdhry, Orch. Fl. Arunachal Prad., 298 (1998); Pra-

dhan, Indian Orchid-II, 306 (1979); Mishra, Orch. India, 293 (2007). [Fig. 20]

Callista farmeri (Paxton) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 654 (1891).

Epiphyte. Stem 15–45 cm long, clavate, 4–5 angled erect, narrowed towards slen-

der base. Leaves 2–

3, sub-terminal, 8–

20×3.2–5.9 cm,

ovate-lanceolate to

elliptic lanceolate,

acute coriaceous,

many nerved. Inflo-

rescence 10–20 cm

long, axillary, de-

curved, pendent,

many flowered.

Flowers 4–5 cm

across, pale- mauve,

turning into pure

white at maturity.

Flowering: April-

May.

Habitat: Epiphytic

on tree trunks for-

ests.

Distribution: India,

Malaysia, Myan-

mar, Nepal, Thai-

land, Vietnam.

Dendrobium fimbriatum Hook., Exot. F l. 1: t. 71 (1823); Hook Fl. Brit. Ind. 5,

745 (1890); Chowdhry, Orch. Fl. Aunachal Prad., 301 (1998); Pradhan, Ind. Or-

chid-II, 309 (1979); Barua, Orch. Fl. Kamrup Dist., 163 (2001); Mishra, Orch.

India, 293 (2007).

Callista fimbriata (Hook.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 653 (1891).

Epiphytic, Stems rigid, decumbent or pendulous, cylindric or sometimes slightly

fusiform above base, 75–150 cm long, stout. Leaves several, lanceolate, acumin-

ate, gradually tapering to an aute apex ,10–15× 1.5–2.8 cm, leathery. Inflores-

cences racemose, racemes on leafy or leafless stem, lateral, pendulous, subapical,

15–20 cm long, 8–12 flowers each. Flowers 4–5 cm across, sepals and petals gold-

en yellow, lip yellow, with purplish red stripes at base, disk with a deep purple

marking.

Flowering: March – May.

Habitat: Epiphyte in mixed deciduous forest, also in humid evergreen forest.

Distribution: India, Nepal, Bhutan, Burma, China, Thailand, Vietnam.


Fig. 20a. Dendrobium farmeri Paxton., 1849.

22

Key to the varieties of D. fimbriatum

1a. Lip with a dark maroon blotch, var. oculatum.

1b. Lip without a dark maroon blotch, var. fimbriatum.

1a. var. oculatum Hook. f. Fl. Brit India, 5, 745 (1890). [Fig. 21]

Flowers yellow or bright orange yellow, lip with dark maroon blotch.

1b. var. fimbriatum; in Chowdhary, Orch. Fl. Arunachal Prad., 301 (1998). [Fig.

22] Flowers bright orange yellow, lip without a dark maroon blotch.

Dendrobium formosum Roxb. ex Lindl. in Wall., Pl. Asiat. Rar. 1: 34, t. 39

(1830); Hook. f., Fl. Brit. India 5: 721 (1890); Chowdhry, Orch. Fl. Arunachal

Prad., 301 (1998); Pradhan, Indian Orchid-

II, 328 (1979); Barua , Orch. Fl. Kamrup

dist. 168 (2001); Mishra, Orch. India, 293

(2007). [Fig. 23]

Callista formosa (Roxb. ex Lindl.) Kuntze,

Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 654 (1891).

Stems terete, thick, ridged, erect (pointed

upwards), woody, sheathed, swollen at the

base tapering towards tip. Leaves oblong,

obliquely subacute, emarginated, sessile,

distichous 2–2.9 × 0.5–0.9 cm. Inflo-

rescence towards the tip 3–4 flowered.

Flowers fragrant, 5–9cm across, white; lip

with large central yellowish-orange blotch.

Flowering: June – July.

Habitat: Epiphyte in tropical forest. Uncommonly found in some isolated patches

in dense forested areas.

Distribution: India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam.


Fig. 21. D. fimbriatum var. oculatum. Fig. 22. D. fimbriatum var. fimbriatum.

Fig. 23. D. formosum Roxb. ex Lindl., 1830.

23

Dendrobium fugax Rchb.f., Gard. Chron. 1871: 1257 (1871); Hook. f., F l. Brit.

India, 5: 752 (1890).

Flickingeria fugax (Rchb.f.)

Seidenf., Dansk Bot. Ark. 34:

46 (1980). [Fig. 24]

Epiphyte, 70–80 cm long, pen-

dulous; rhizomes creeping;

stems woody, polished; pseu-

dobulbs at irregular distance

on stems, fusiform, 4–6 cm

long. Leaves solitary, terminal,

narrowly oblong, 10–20 × 2–3

cm sessile. Flowers white, 1 or

2, arising at the base of leaf, 3

–3.5 cm across, fugacious.

Flowering: March – October.

Habitat: Epiphyte in humid

evergreen forest, mixed decid-

uous forest.

Distribution: China, Bhutan,

northeastern India, Myanmar,

Thailand and Vietnam.

Dendrobium gibsonii Paxton, Paxton's Mag. Bot. 5: 169 (1838); Hook. f., Fl. Brit.

Ind. 5: 746 (1890); Chowdhry, Orch. Fl. Arunachal Prad., 302 (1998); Pradhan,

Indian Orchid-II, 309 (1979); Mishra, Orch. India, 293 (2007).

Callista gibsonii (Paxton) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 654 (1891).

Epiphytic or Epilithic. Pseudobulbs 60–120 cm long. slender, tapering upwards.

Leaves several, 6.5–15.5 × 2.5–5 cm, ovate- lanceolate to lanceolate, shortly acu-

minate. Inflorescence 9–20 cm long, pendulous. Flowers 3–4 cm across, orange-

yelllow.

Flowering: May- August.

Habitat: Epiphyte in humid evergreen forest, mixed deciduous forest.

Distribution: India, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand and Nepal.

Dendrobium griffithianum Lindl., Edwards's Bot. Reg. 21: t. 1756 (1835); Hook.

f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 5: 749 (1890); Mishra, Orch. India, 293 (2007).

Callista griffithiana (Lindl.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 654 (1891).

Stems 30.5–45.5 cm long, 4 angled, elongate, calvate-fusiform, thicker towards

the apex, deeply sulcate, to 5 noded, shiney, yellow. Leaves 2 to 3, apical, leath-

ery, oblong-lanceolate, shortly petiolate, acute. Inflorescence 15–25 cm long, sub-

erect to pendant, loosely many flowered. Flowers 4.5–6 cm across, long-lasting,

yellow.


Habitat: Epiphytic, high up on trees.

Distribution: India (Assam), Myanmar, and Thailand.


Fig. 24. Dendrobium fugax Rchb.f., 1871.

24

Dendrobium heterocarpum Wall. ex Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orchid. Pl.: 78 (1830);

Hook. f., Fl. Brit. Ind. 5: 737

(1890); Chowdhry, Orch. Fl.

Arunachal Prad., 302 (1998);

Mishra, Orch. India, 293 (2007).

[Fig. 25]

Callista heterocarpa (Wall. ex

Lindl.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl.

2: 654 (1891).

Stems often ascending, 5–27 cm,

thickly fleshy, base contracted,

thickened toward apex. Leaves

oblong-lanceolate, usually 7–10

× 1.2–2 cm, leathery, apex acute

or slightly obtuse. Inflorescence

a raceme arising from apical part

of deciduous old stem, 1–4 flow-

ered. Flowers scented, spread-

ing; sepals and petals silver-

white or creamy yellow, lateral

lobes of lip yellow with red striation, mid-lobe silver or creamy yellow, column

white, purplish red on sides, yellow on inner surface, foot yellow.


Habitat: Epiphytic on trees in sunny open forests.

Distribution: China, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal,

Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam.

Dendrobium hookerianum Lindl., J . Proc. Linn. Soc., Bot. 3: 8 (1858); Hook. f.,

Fl. Brit. Ind. 5: 745 (1890); Chowdhry, Orch. Fl. Arunachal Prad., 302 (1998);

Pradhan, Indian Orchid-II, 322 (1979); Mishra, Orch. India, 293 (2007).

Callista hookeriana (Lindl.) Kuntze, Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 654 (1891).

Dendrobium chrysotis Rchb. f., Gard. Chron. 1870: 1311 (1870).

Dendrobium fimbriatum var. bimaculosum Tang & Wang, Acta Phytotax. Sin. 1:

81 (1951).

Stems pendulous, cylindric, 30–80 cm, rigid. Leaves alternate along entire stem,

ovate-lanceolate or oblong, 7–17 × 2–3.5 cm, leathery, acute. Inflorescences 1 to

several, along distal part of current season’s mature leafy stems, 4–10 cm, laxly 2–

7 flowered. Flowers spreading, thinly textured, golden yellow, disk with a purple

blotch on each side.

Flowering: August- September.

Habitat: Lithophytic on rocks in mountain valleys, epiphytic on tree trunks in

mountain forests.

Distribution: China and India.

Paper to be concluded next issue.

******************************************************************


Fig. 25. Dendrobium heterocarpum Wall ex Lindl., 1830.

Date post:	30-May-2019
Category:	Documents
Upload:	dangphuc
View:	242 times
Download:	4 times

The MIOS Journal 24. 2014. Gogoi, K. et al. Orchids in...

Documents