Smithsonian Gardens

Common name: Pencil Orchid, Rat Tail Orchid

Family: Orchidaceae subfam. Epidendroideae (Orchid)

Synonym: Dockrillia schoenina

Distribution: E Australia

Habitat: Rainforests or open forests; 0-1970ft (0-600m)

Life form: Epiphytic

Bloom Time (northern hemisphere): February to May; October

Bloom characteristics: Inflorescence is .6-1.2" (1.5-3 cm) long with 1-4 white flowers that last about 2 weeks. Flowers are 1-1.4" (2.5-3.5 cm) across.

Fragrance: Fragrant

Description: This Australian orchid takes its common name from its long, cylindrical pseudobulbs. Its scientific name, schoeninum, means rush-like in reference to the common Australian rush genus Schoenus.

Comments: Dendrobium schoeninum