Dendrobium densiflorum

1 / 12

Common name: The Densely Flowered Dendrobium, Pineapple Orchid

Family: Orchidaceae subfam. Epidendroideae (Orchid)

Synonym: Dendrobium clavatum, Dendrobium densiflorum var. alba

Distribution: C Himalaya to Hainan

Habitat: Moss covered trunks and branchs; 1000-1830m

Life form: Epiphytic

Bloom Time (northern hemisphere): February to August; peaks in April

Bloom characteristics: Pendent inflorescence is 7-10" long with 50-100 orange flowers with a darker orange, velvety center. Flowers are 2" across and last 1-2 weeks.

Fragrance: Honey

Ethnobotanical uses: In India, this plant was used in perfumes and as an aphrodisiac.

Medicinal/pharmaceutical: In Nepal, pulp from the pseudobulbs has been used to treat pimples and boils.

Description: This small to medium sized orchid is spectacular when in bloom, with densely flowered, pendant clusters of sweet-smelling blossoms. The flower’s lip is also interesting for being extremely fuzzy. Several other orchids are often mis-identified as this one, making descriptions of D. densiflorum’s habitat occasionally confusing.

Comments: Dendrobium densiflorum

Links: eFloras.org • Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia • Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families

1: Greenhouse 13: Seasonally Cool Growing Orchid House (GH13) • Accession: 2016-0100*A • Provenance: Collected directly from the wild; origin known
2: Greenhouse 13: Seasonally Cool Growing Orchid House (GH13) • Accession: 2016-0100*B • Provenance: Collected directly from the wild; origin known
3: Greenhouse 13: Seasonally Cool Growing Orchid House (GH13) • Accession: 2016-0232*A • Provenance: From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin
4: Greenhouse 13: Seasonally Cool Growing Orchid House (GH13) • Accession: 2016-0233*A • Provenance: From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin
5: Greenhouse 13: Seasonally Cool Growing Orchid House (GH13) • Accession: 2016-0234*A • Provenance: From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin
6: Greenhouse 13: Seasonally Cool Growing Orchid House (GH13) • Accession: 2016-0235*A • Provenance: From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin
7: Greenhouse 13: Seasonally Cool Growing Orchid House (GH13) • Accession: 2016-0236*A • Provenance: From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin
8: Greenhouse 13: Seasonally Cool Growing Orchid House (GH13) • Accession: 2016-0237*A • Provenance: From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin
9: Greenhouse 13: Seasonally Cool Growing Orchid House (GH13) • Accession: 2016-0238*A • Provenance: From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin
10: Greenhouse 13: Seasonally Cool Growing Orchid House (GH13) • Accession: 2016-0239*A • Provenance: From a cultivated plant not of known wild origin

Area

Individual

Smithsonian Gardens

Plant Explorer

Taxon

Dendrobium densiflorum

Locations