Dendrobium lichenastrum, commonly known as the common button orchid,[1] is a species of epiphytic or lithophytic orchid endemic to far north Queensland. It has a creeping, branching rhizome surrounded by papery bracts, small egg-shaped to round, fleshy, dark green leaves and a single white, cream-coloured or pink flower with red stripes and an orange labellum.
Dendrobium lichenastrum is an epiphytic or lithophytic herb with creeping, branching rhizomes that are 1sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 in diameter, covered with papery bracts and form a spreading mat over the substrate. The leaves are egg-shaped to almost round, NaNsigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide and lie flat on the surface. A single white, cream-coloured or pink flower with red stripes on a thin pedicel up to 15sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long appears from a leaf base. The flower is resupinate, NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long and NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 wide and has a prominent orange labellum. The dorsal sepal is egg-shaped, erect, NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long and about 2.5sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide. The lateral sepals are triangular, NaNsigfig=2NaNsigfig=2 long and about 4sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide and spread widely apart from each other. The petals are linear in shape, a similar length to the sepals but much narrower. The labellum is oblong, about 7sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 long and 2sigfig=1NaNsigfig=1 wide and fleshy with thickened edges. Flowering occurs sporadically throughout the year.[2]
The common button orchid was first formally described in 1901 by Ferdinand von Mueller who gave it the name Bulbophyllum lichenastrum and published the description in Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae from a specimen collected by John Dallachy near Rockingham Bay.[3] [4] In 1905 Robert Allen Rolfe changed the name to Dendrobium lichenastrum.[5] The specific epithet (lichenastrum) is derived from the Ancient Greek words leichen meaning "a lichen"[6] and astron meaning "a star".
Dendrobium lichenastrum grows on rocks, cliffs and trees in rainforest between Mount Finnigan and Mackay.