(Schltr.) Brieger

Pronunciation:

plat-ee-CAW-lon
Tribe: Epidendreae
Subtribe: Dendrobiinae

Species in the Section Platycaulon are closely related to Sections Pedilonum and Calcarifera, but are distinguished by broad, very flat stems. Platycaulon is in the Subgenus, Dendrobium, which is distinguished by plants with stems that are fleshy for the whole length. Plants are generally found in lowlands, but may occur up to 1800 meters in Papua New Guinea. Plants are also generally found in areas with year-round rainfall, many in rubber and coconut plantations. The flattened pseudobulbs are erect, becoming pendulous, with leaves in two ranks along most of the stem. Older stems often lose their leaves. Flowers occur from inflorescences on upper leaf axils and are fairly short lived. Flowers are generally cream to white with a three lobed lip and prominent mentum.

Derived from platy meaning broad. Platycaulon means broad-stemmed.Culture: The culture in the data below are averages. For growing data for specific species, literature, such as Reference 1 & 2, are highly recommended.

Number of species:

According to Laverack, et al, this Section has about five species; Kew Monocot List indicates the following six: Den. compressum, Den. discocaulon, Den. lamellatum, Den. lamprocaulon, Den. platygastrium, Den. treubii,

(Baker, Ref. 2, indicates Den. compressum and Den. lamellatumare synonymous).

Distribution:

Myanmar, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia to New Guinea, Solomons, New Caledonia and Fiji.
 

Dendrobium lamellatum (syn. platycaulon) - ©2009 Eric Hunt

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