Dendrobium tetragonum


Dendrobium tetragonum, commonly known as the tree spider orchid, is a variable species of epiphytic or lithophytic orchid endemic to eastern Australia. Tree spider orchids are unusual in having pendulous pseudobulbs that are thin and wiry near the base then expand into a fleshy, four-sided upper section before tapering at the tip. There are only a few thin but leathery leaves at the end of the pseudobulbs and up to five flowers on relatively short flowering stems. To allow for the variations in the species there are five subspecies and a variety, some with a unique common name.

Description

Dendrobium tetragonium is an epiphytic or lithophytic herb with pendulous pseudobulbs long and wide. The pseudobulbs have a thin, wiry base but expand to a fleshy, four-sided upper section and a tapering tip with between two and five thin but leathery leaves. The leaves are long and wide. The flowering stems are long and bear up to eight flowers. The number, size and colour of the flowers depend on subspecies. Flower size ranges from long and wide. The flowers range in colour from green to pale yellow, sometimes with red blotches and a labellum that ranges in colour from white, to yellowish with red, brown or purplish markings. The sepals range in size from long and wide and the petals from long and wide. The labellum ranges from long and from wide. Flowering occurs between April and November.

Taxonomy and naming

Dendrobium tetragonum was first formally described in 1839 by Allan Cunningham from a specimen "hanging loosely from the stems of small trees in dry shaded woods, Moreton Bay". The description was published in Edwards's Botanical Register edited by John Lindley.

Subdivisions

  • Dendrobium tetragonum var. cacatua H.Mohr – the yellow tree spider orchid has greenish to pale yellow flowers with a few fine reddish purple markings and a white labellum, usually with no markings, and flowers from July to September;
  • Dendrobium tetragonum subsp. cataractarum Peter B.Adams, S.D.Lawson & G.A.Peterson has yellowish green flowers with red, purple or brown marks on the edge of the sepals and a pale, cream-coloured labellum with reddish purple markings, and flowers from August to September;
  • Dendrobium tetragonum subsp. giganteum Peter B.Adams – the blotched tree spider orchid has greenish yellow flowers with prominent red blotches and a white labellum with red and purplish lines, and flowers from April to November;
  • Dendrobium tetragonum subsp. melaleucaphilum Dockrill – the flared tree spider orchid has the largest flowers in the species, the flowers green to greenish yellow with reddish blotches and a white or pale yellow labellum with red or purplish marks, and flowers from May to October;
  • Dendrobium tetragonum subsp. serpentis Peter B.Adams has flowers that are green at first, then turn yellow with few or no markings apart from on the labellum which is white to pale cream-coloured with reddish purple markings, and flowers from August to September;
  • Dendrobium tetragonum subsp. tetragonum – the banded tree spider orchid has the smallest flowers of the species, the flowers green to greenish yellow with dark reddish brown bands on the edges and a cream-coloured or yellow labellum with brown, red or purplish marks, and flowers from May to October.

    Distribution and habitat

Tree spider orchids are usually epiphytes which grow on trees in rainforest or shady places beside streams, but also sometimes on paperbark trees, especially Melaleuca styphelioides and occasionally on rocks. Different forms of the species occur in different areas of coastal or near-coastal New South Wales and Queensland.