Dendrobium densiflorum Lindl.
Dendrobium densiflorum Lindl. is a perennial epiphytic herbaceous plant of the Dendrobium genus in the Orchidaceae family. The stem is thick and usually rod-shaped or spindle shaped, measuring 25-40 centimeters in length and up to 2 centimeters in thickness. The lower part often narrows into a thin cylindrical shape, without branching, with several nodes and 4 longitudinal edges, sometimes the edges are not obvious. After drying, it is light brown and glossy; Leaves often have 3-4 leaves, alternate near the stem end, leathery, oblong lanceolate in shape, 8-17 cm long and 2.6-6 cm wide, with a sharp apex and a sheath that does not extend downward from the base to embrace the stem.
The raceme inflorescence originates from the upper end of the leafy stem that was born last year or 2 years ago, drooping and densely growing with many flowers. The base of the inflorescence stem is covered with 2-4 sheaths; The flower buds are paper-based, inverted in shape, measuring 1.2-1.5 centimeters in length and 6-10 millimeters in width. The tips are blunt and have about 10 veins. After drying, they often sweep or twist; The flower stem and ovary are white green, measuring 2-2.5 centimeters in length; Blossoming, sepals and petals pale yellow; Sepals ovate, 1.7-2.1 cm long, 8-12 mm wide, apex blunt, with 5 veins, entire margin; Lateral sepals ovate lanceolate, subequal larger than middle sepals, apex near acute, with 5-6 veins, entire margin; The calyx sac is nearly spherical, about 5 millimeters wide.
Petals are nearly circular, measuring 1.5-2 centimeters in length and 1.1-1.5 centimeters in width. The base is narrowed into short claws, and there are rodents on the middle and upper edges. There are three main veins and many branch veins; Lips golden yellow, round diamond shaped, 1.7-2.2 cm long, up to 2.2 cm wide, apex circular, base with short claws, surrounded by stamens on both sides below the middle, and densely covered with short hairs above and below the middle; The stamen is orange yellow, about 4 millimeters long; The medicine cap is orange yellow in color, flattened in a hemispherical or conical shape at the front and back, with a truncated edge at the front end and fine incisions. Flowering period from April to May
Dendrobium densiflorum Lindl. is a perennial herbaceous plant that prefers shade and prefers to grow in warm, humid environments with an annual rainfall of over 1000 millimeters and semi shaded and semi sunny conditions. It is best grown in subtropical deep mountain forests with an average temperature of over 8 ℃ in January. The suitable growth temperature is 15 to 28 degrees Celsius, and the suitable air humidity is above 60%. It does not have strict requirements for soil and fertilizer. In the wild, it mostly grows on loose and thick bark or trunk, and some also grow in crevices. Belonging to the aerial root system, it mainly requires good permeability of the roots, and the substrate used should be well ventilated, breathable, and filter water. Under suitable temperature and humidity conditions, the growth rate is fast and the survival ability is very strong. At the end of spring and beginning of summer every year, flower clusters emerge from the upper nodes of biennial stems. After flowering, new shoots grow from the stem base and develop into stems. In autumn and winter, they enter a dormant period.
This species is easily confused with Dendrobium thyrsiflorum Rchb. f., with the main difference being that its stem is usually rod-shaped or spindle shaped, with four distinct edges; Sepals and petals are light yellow in color.
