Code: DEN.0x0002
Common Name: The Large-Leafed Dendrobium
Scented: yes
Light Requirements: partial sun
Temperature Requirements: hot
Blooms: spring to late summer
Flower Size: to 5cm
Synonyms: Callista gordonii (S. Moore) Kuntze 1891; Callista macrophylla (A. Rich.) Kuntze 1891; Callista veitchiana (Lindl.) Kuntze 1891; Dendrobium brachythecum F Mueller & Krzl. 1894; Dendrobium ferox Hassk. 1835; Dendrobium gordoni S. Moore Ex Baker 1883; Dendrobium lucae F. Mueller 1910; Dendrobium musciferum Schlechter 1912; Dendrobium palawense Schlechter 1914; Dendrobium psyche Krzl. 1910; Dendrobium sarcostemma Teijsm. & Binn 1866; Dendrobium sarcostemma Teijsm. & Binn. 1830; Dendrobium setigerum Ames ?; Dendrobium ternatense J.J.Sm. 1909; Dendrobium tomohonense Krzl. 1910; Dendrobium veitchianum Lindley 1847; Latourea macrophylla ( A.Rich. ) F.G.Brieger 1981; Latourea muscifera ( Schltr. ) F.G.Brieger 1981; Latourorchis macrophylla [A.Rich.] Breiger 1981; Latourorchis muscifera ( Schltr. ) F.G.Brieger 1981; Sayeria macrophylla (A. Rich.) Rauschert 1983; Sayeria muscifera (Schltr.) Rauschert 1983; Sayeria palawensis (Schltr.) Rauschert 1983; Sayeria psyche (Kraenzl.) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones 2002
A widespread, medium to large sized, hot growing species from Java, Lesser Sunda Islands, Moluccas, the Philippines, Sulawesi, New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia, Samoa, Vanuatu and the Caroline Islands that is usually epiphytic in hot coastal primary forest jungles on tree trunks halfway up the bole from sea-level to 1700 metres in elevation. This species has ribbed, slightly flattened, slender basally and thicker in the upper 60% stems carrying 2 to 4, large, persistent leaves that are near the apex. They bloom from spring until late summer on an erect, to 15 to 40cm long, usually many (15 to 25) flowered raceme with heavy textured, color variable flowers and require even water and fertilizer year round. They have an axillary, apical, erect or curved inflorescence that arises from the leaf axils at the apex of the leafed canes with flowers that have a delicate fragrance and are long-lasting.