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Synonyms
None
Origin in the Wild
Luzon
Elevation in the Wild
c500 metres
Habitat in the Wild
This species has been found on mountains in Laguna Province.
The Plants Description
The pseudobulbs cluster along the rhizome. The pseudobulbs are tapered and shaped cylindrical. The pseudobulbs measure 2.5cm long and 3mm in diameter. The petiole is indistinct. The leaf blades are shaped linear and have acute apices. The leaf blades measure 30cm long and 3.5mm wide. The leaves are leathery.
The Inflorescence
The inflorescence is synanthous and emerges with the new growth. The peduncle is erect to curving. The rachis is pendent and measures 10cm long. The flowers alternate distichously and are spaced 2mm apart. The flowers open from the central section of the rachis.
The Flowers
The flowers are pale brown to pale orange. There are up to 50 flowers recorded on an inflorescence. The dorsal sepal is slightly reflexed, shaped narrowly oblong and has an acute apex. The dorsal sepal measures 4mm long and 1.25mm wide. The dorsal sepal has an entire margin. The lateral sepals are shaped narrowly lanceolate and have acute apices. The lateral sepals measure 4mm long and 1.5mm wide. The lateral sepals have entire margins. The petals are shaped narrowly lanceolate and have acute apices. The petals measure 2.75mm long and 1mm wide. The petals have entire margins. The labellum is porrect and 3-lobed. The labellum measures 2mm across the side lobes. The side lobes are shaped falcate and have acuminate apices. The mid-lobe is small, shaped triangular and has an acuminate apex. The side lobes and mi-lobe are subequal to each other. I am not sure if there are any ornaments on the labellum. The column is straight and measures 0.75mm.
Herbarium Specimens
Holotype
NSW
Scent
I could find no record
Flowering Season
I can find no record but assume it is during the spring.
Culture
This species is in cultivation in Australia and I have seen photographs of a plant that I suspect is this species in the United Kingdom.
Similar Species
Dendrochilum wenzelii
Dendrochilum javierii
Dendrochilum saccolabium
Dendrochilum williamsii
Other Information
This species has been imported from the Philippines as Dendrochilum wenzelii. This species differs from Dendrochilum wenzelii by the bronze colour of the new growths, a labellum that looks similar to Dendrochilum williamsii rather the D. wenzelii, smaller flowers, longer and more dense flowered inflorescence.
The epithet is named in honour of David Banks, a Dendrochilum enthusiastic from Australia. David has contributed to this website.
Reference -
COOTES, J.E. 2009, Australian Orchid Review, 74 (4): 13.
World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. 25 April 2009. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet; http://www.kew.org/wcsp/ accessed 15 October 2010.
