Genus of as many as 1,500 species
of orchids that grow on other plants and are native to tropical and subtropical
Asia, many Pacific islands, and Australia. Some species have small,
pale flowers; others have large, showy ones. The flowers may be borne singly,
in groups, or on arching spikes. The lateral sepals of all Dendrobium flowers
are joined at the base, forming a small sac. The pseudobulbs (swollen stems)
are bulblike or reedlike and range in height from 5 cm to about 4.5 m (2
inches to 15 feet). Popular members of the genus include the pigeon
orchid (Dendrobium crumenatum), a white-flowered
species; the bull orchid (D. taurinum), a Philippine
species with twisted, hornlike petals; and the cucumber orchid (D. cucumerinum),
an Australian species with cucumber-like leaves.
(from
Britannica on line)
Here are some pictures of the dendribium that we grow. A nice thing about these flowers is that they last several weeks!