毛鞘石斛 mao qiao shi hu

Dendrobium margaritaceum Finet.

Stems erect, subclavate to fusiform, 2-4[-8] cm, 6-9 mm in diam., unbranched, with few nodes. Leaves 2 or 3, subterminal, long-lasting, ovate-lanceolate or oblong, 3-4(-4.5) × ca. 1 cm, abaxial surface and sheath with black hairs, apex obtuse and unequally 2-lobed. Inflorescences subterminal, 1- or 2-flowered. Flowers spreading, white, lip with orange center. Dorsal sepal ovate to ovate-lanceolate, ca. 20 × 8-10 mm, acute; lateral sepals similar to dorsal sepal; mentum broadly conic, ca. 10 mm. Petals elliptic-oblong, ca. 20 mm, subacute; lip ca. 25 mm, margin undulate, apex 3-lobed; mid-lobe emarginate at apex; disk with 3 granulose lamellae.

Epiphytic at forest margins; 800-1200 m. Yunnan [Thailand, Vietnam].

The altitudinal range is based on records from Vietnam.

The Chinese material has shorter and relatively broader stems than material from elsewhere.