Dendrobium speciosum

Dendrobium speciosum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Genus: Dendrobium
Species:
D. speciosum
Binomial name
Dendrobium speciosum
Synonyms
List
    • Callista speciosa (Sm.) Kuntze
    • Dendrobium biconvexum (D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem.) J.M.H.Shaw
    • Dendrobium coriaceum (D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem.) J.M.H.Shaw p.p.
    • Dendrobium epiphyticum (D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem.) J.M.H.Shaw
    • Dendrobium rupicoloides J.M.H.Shaw
    • Dendrobium speciosum var. blackdownense Peter B.Adams
    • Dendrobium speciosum var. boreale Peter B.Adams, Jac.M.Burke & S.D.Lawson nom. inval.
    • Dendrobium speciosum var. boreale Peter B.Adams, Jac.M.Burke & S.D.Lawson
    • Dendrocoryne speciosa M.A.Clem. nom. inval., pro syn.
    • Dendrocoryne speciosum Brieger nom. inval.
    • Thelychiton biconvexus D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem.
    • Thelychiton coriaceus D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem. p.p.
    • Thelychiton epiphyticus D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem.
    • Thelychiton rupicola D.L.Jones & M.A.Clem.
    • Thelychiton speciosus (Sm.) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones
    • Tropilis speciosa Sm.) Butzin
    • Tropilis speciosa (Sm.) Rauschert isonym

Dendrobium speciosum, commonly known as rock orchid or cane orchid, is a species of highly variable Australian orchid. Its varieties can be found in a range of habitats as epiphytes (on branches or trunks of trees) or lithophytes. It has a continuous distribution along the east coast of Australia and in distinct populations along the Tropic of Capricorn. As a lithophyte, it forms gigantic spreading colonies on rocks and cliff faces, often exposed to full sun, with its roots forming dense, matted beds across the rock that anchor the plant. It can be found at altitudes from sea level to 900 metres (3,000 ft).