Dendrochilum basale J.J.Sm. 1922 SUBGENUS Platyclinis SECTION Platyclinis Photos by © J.J.Wood and The Swiss Orchid Foundation at the Jany Renz Herbaria Website

Common Name The Ground Loving Dendrochilum

Flower Size .8" [2cm]

Found in Sumatra at elevations around 1500 to 1600 meters as a small sized, cool growing epiphyte with ovoid to almost globose, narrowing towards the apexpseudobulbs carrying lanceolate, narrowing apically, acute, abruptly narrowing below into the petiolate base leaves that blooms in the fall on an erect, appearing before the leaves develop, to 6.4" [16 cm] long, quadrangular in cross-section, arching, spottily hairy, to 17 flowered inflorescence

J J Smith stated that this species was close to D linearifolium but D basale has broader acute leaves which apically narrow, also in the densely furry bracts and sheaths, the much larger flowers , the lip with 2 keels and in the larger apical column wing.

He also put D basale close to D fruticicola but it has triangular and acute side lobes to the lip and pseudobulbs that are longer in proportion to the width.

Synonyms

References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ; Orchids of Sumatra Comber 2001 photo fide; Orchids of Sumatra Comber 2001 photo fide;

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