Dendrobium antennatum explained

Dendrobium antennatum, commonly known as the green antelope orchid,^[1] is an epiphytic orchid in the family Orchidaceae. It has cylindrical pseudobulbs with up to twelve leaves near their tips and up to fifteen white flowers with green petals and a white labellum with purple stripes. It grows in New Guinea and in tropical North Queensland where it is rare.

Description

Dendrobium antennatum is an epiphytic orchid with cylindrical, yellowish green pseudobulbs NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide. There are between eight and twelve egg-shaped leaves NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide on the upper two-thirds of the pseudobulb. The flowering stems emerge from upper leaf axils and are NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long with between three and fifteen flowers. The flowers are mostly white, NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long and NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 wide but with pale green petals. The dorsal sepal is a narrow triangular shape, NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long, NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 wide and usually curled to one side. The lateral sepals are also narrow triangular, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide and curved backwards. The petals are linear to lance-shaped, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long, about 4sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide, stiffly erect and twisted. The labellum is white with purple stripes, about 25sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and 12sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide with three lobes. The side lobes curve upwards and the middle lobe in pointed with five ridges along its midline. Flowering occurs from March to December and the flowers are long-lasting.^{[2] [3] [4]}

Taxonomy and naming

Dendrobium antennatum was first formally described in 1843 by John Lindley from a specimen collected in New Guinea by Richard Brinsley Hinds.^{[5] [6]}

Distribution and habitat

The green antelope orchid grows in mainly coastal rainforest from sea level to 1200sigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 in the McIlwraith Range on Cape York Peninsula, the Solomon Islands and New Guinea.

Conservation

This orchid is classed as "endangered" under the Australian Government Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

Notes and References

1. Book: Jones. David L.. A complete guide to native orchids of Australia including the island territories. 2006. New Holland. Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.. 1877069124. 384.
2. Web site: D.L.Jones . T.Hopley . S.M.Duffy . David L. Jones (botanist) . 2010 . 29 May 2021 . Factsheet - Ceratobium dalbertisii . . Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government.
3. Web site: Dendrobium antennatum . Orchids of New Guinea . 12 November 2018.
4. Web site: Approved Conservation Advice for Dendrobium antennatum (Antelope Orchid) . Australian Government Department of the Environment . 12 November 2018.
5. Web site: Dendrobium antennatum. APNI. 12 November 2018.
6. Lindley . John . Vegetation of the Feejee Islands . London Journal of Botany . 1843 . 2 . 236 . 12 November 2018.