Smithsonian Gardens

Common name: Jenkin's Dendrobium

Family: Orchidaceae subfam. Epidendroideae (Orchid)

Distribution: E Himalaya to China (S Yunnan) and N Indo-China

Habitat: Open forest on tree trunks; 700-1500m

Life form: Epiphytic

Bloom Time (northern hemisphere): January to July; peaks from March to May

Bloom characteristics: Arching to pendant inflorescence is 6" long with 1-5 simultaneously openning yellow to orange flowers. Flowers are 1.2" across.

Fragrance: Honey

Description: This small orchid is frequently sold by growers as D. aggregatum, and often confused with D. lindleyii. The first error is due to this being one of the plant’s previous names, and the second can be solved by knowing that this orchid has fewer flowers per an inflorescence and a bilobed lip to its flower.