Taxon

Dendrobium secundum

 
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Dendrobium secundum - Purse-Making Dendrobium, Toothbrush Orchid
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Common name: Purse-Making Dendrobium, Toothbrush Orchid
Family: Orchidaceae subfam. Epidendroideae (Orchid)
Synonym: Dendrobium bursigerum
Distribution: Bangladesh to W and C Malesia
Habitat: Dry, lowland forests and savana-like hills; 0-2300ft (0-700m)
Hardiness: 30 - 40 F
Life form: Epiphytic
Ethnobotanical uses: Yellow fiber from the stems were used in the Andaman Islands to decorate arrows for shooting fish or pigs.
Medicinal/pharmaceutical: In the Andaman Islands, the fibers of this orchid were strung with bone and worn as necklaces or belts to prevent or cure illness.
Bloom Time (northern hemisphere): February to March
Bloom characteristics: Erect to semipendulous inflorescence is 3-6" (7.6-15.25 cm) long with 50 pink, waxy flowers. Flowers are .5" (1.25 cm) across and do not open well.
Pollination syndrome: Bird (Cyrtostomis pectoralis)
Foliage characteristics: Deciduous
Description: This medium to large orchid takes its common name from the way its flowers grow all on one side of their inflorescence, giving the appearance of a flowery toothbrush.
Links: Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia • Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families • Orchids of Cambodia

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