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Ceratobium dalbertisii (Rchb.f.) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones,Orchadian 13(11): 486 (2002).
Dendrobium d'albertisii Rchb.f., Gard. Chron. (new ser.), 9: 366 (1878). Type: cult. London, H. Veitch ex New Guinea, D’Albertis s.n. (holo W; iso W).
Dendrobium antennatum auct. non Lindl.: P.J.Cribb, Orchadian 7(5): 119-120 (1982).
Occurs in far north-eastern Queensland on the McIlwraith Range.
Altitude: 400-550 m.
Also occurs in Indonesia, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.
Epiphytic or lithophytic herb forming tall slender clumps. Rhizome superficial, branched. Pseudobulbs erect, cylindrical, constricted at nodes, internodes swollen, 30-60 cm x 2-2.5 cm, usually yellowish green, leafy in upper two-thirds. Leaves 8-12, erect to prostrate, ovate, 8-14 cm x 3-4 cm, rigid, dark green or yellowish, apex unequally emarginate. Inflorescence an axillary raceme, erect or arching, 200-350 mm long, from apical nodes; pedicels 3 mm long, thin. Flowers 3-15, resupinate, porrect to nodding, star-shaped, large, 50-60 mm x 40-50 mm, pale green with white petals. Dorsal sepal free, narrowly triangular, 16-20 mm x 4-5 mm, usually curled to one side. Lateral sepals narrowly triangular, 13-16 mm x 6-7 mm, bases fused to column foot, recurved and partially twisted. Petals stiffly erect, prominent, longer than sepals, linear to lanceolate, 35-40 mm x 3 mm, pale green, twisted. Labellum 25 mm x 12 mm, white with purple stripes; lateral lobes erect; midlobe pointed, with 5 ridges, central one extending nearly to apex. Column 6-7 mm long. Column foot longer than column, 10-11 mm, in line with column. Capsules pendulous, large, dehiscent.
Occurs in rainforests growing on higher branches of Acacia and rainforest trees. It is generally found along stream banks where conditions are humid and a break in forest canopy allows high light. The flowers are showy and very long-lasting, pollinated by large wasps and hornets.
Highly localised.
Flowering period: March-December.
Until recently known as Dendrobium antennatum.
