Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Dendrobium tetragonum A.Cunn.

Frost-tender, variable epiphytic orchid with usually pendulous, quadrangular pseudobulbs, to 50cm long, each bearing up to 5, thin leathery leaves, and short racemes of up to nine spidery, greenish yellow flowers, with reddish markings, in spring.  [RHSD, Jones, FNSW, Pridgeon, Hortus, Beadle].

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘A very distinct species of Dendrobe, a native of the wooded islets in Moreton Bay, for which the Royal Gardens are indebted to Messrs. Rollisson and Sons, of Tooting.  It ‘is remarkable for the very long pendulous stems or pseudobulbs, which hang in masses from the tree trunks, and are terminated by a pair of waved leaves.  The flowers are by no means handsome, and its singular habit alone recommends it for cultivation.  The specimen here figured flowered in the Royal Gardens in November of last year.’  [BM t.5956/1872].  Introduced to Britain from Moreton Bay in 1838.  [JD].

History at Camden Park

Listed in the 1850 and 1857 catalogues [O.26/1850].  Source unknown but probably obtained from John Bidwill from Wide Bay or from one of Macarthur’s Moreton Bay contacts.

Notes

Published Jan 26, 2010 - 12:09 PM | Last updated Jul 29, 2010 - 01:07 PM

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Figured are leathery leaves and short racemes of spidery, greenish yellow flowers. Curtis's Botanical Magazine t.5956, 1872.

Dendrobium tetragonum A.Cunn. | BM t.5956/1872 | BHL

Family Orchidaceae
Category
Region of origin

Eastern Australia
Synonyms
  • Tetrabaculum tetragona (A.Cunn.) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones
  • Callista tetragonum (A.Cunn.) Kuntze
  • Tropilis tetragona (A.Cunn.) Butzin
Common Name

Banded tree spider orchid
Name in the Camden Park Record

Dendrobium tetragonum 
Confidence level high