Dendrobium speciosum

Dendrobium speciosum, commonly known as the rock orchid or cane orchid, is a species of highly variable Australian orchid. Its varieties can be found in a range of habitats as epiphytes (on branches or trunks of trees) or lithophytes. It has a continuous distribution along the east coast of Australia and in distinct populations along the Tropic of Capricorn. As a lithophyte, it forms gigantic spreading colonies on rocks and cliff faces, often exposed to full sun, with its roots forming dense, matted beds across the rock that anchor the plant. It can be found at altitudes from sea level to 900 metres (3,000 ft).
Dendrobium speciosum is an epiphytic or lithophytic herb with spreading roots and cylindrical or tapered pseudobulbs 50–1,800 mm (2–70 in) long and 10–60 mm (0.4–2 in) wide. Each pseudobulb has up to seven, usually thick, leathery leaves originating from its top, the leaves 50–250 mm (2–10 in) long and 10–80 mm (0.4–3 in) wide. The leaves can remain on the plant for up to twelve years. The flowers vary in colour from white to bright yellows and there is considerable variation in the length of the flowering raceme, the number of flowers on it and the size of the flowers. The length of the flowering stem ranges from 50–800 mm (2–30 in) long and the number of flowers from two to two hundred. The flowers are 12–70 mm (0.5–3 in) long and 20–80 mm (0.8–3 in) wide. The dorsal sepal is longer than the lateral sepals but narrower and the petals are about the same length as the lateral sepals but only half as wide. The labellum has reddish purple spots or streaks and three lobes, the sides lobes erect and curved and the middle lobe pointed, rounded or more or less square. Flowering occurs between August and October for most varieties but some flower as early as May and others as late as November.
Dendrobium speciosum was first formally described in 1804 by James Edward Smith from a specimen found at Port Jackson and sent to him by John White. The description was published in Exotic Botany. The specific epithet (speciosum) is a Latin word meaning "beautiful", "splendid" or "showy".
Dendrobium speciosum is a variable species and the following varieties are recognised by the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families:
This species complex has been previously described by Alick Dockrill in 1969 and reviewed by several authors (Stephen Clemesha 1981a, 1981b, 1986, Banks & Clemesha 1990 and Adams 1991.
The 1889 book The Useful Native Plants of Australia records that common names included "rock lily" and that "the large pseudo-bulbs have been eaten by the aborigines, they, however, contain but little nutritive matter."
Potential pollinators of Dendrobium speciosum, such as the stingless bee Tetragonula carbonaria, are attracted to the plant by large, cream to yellow, finely segmented, aromatic inflorescences. Flowers vary in size within the six recognised varieties of D. speciosum and are pollinated when visited by bees of appropriate size.
Dendrobium speciosum forms a natural hybrid with Dendrobium gracilicaule : Dendrobium × gracillimum. This hybrid has also been described as Dendrobium speciosum var. nitidum F.M.Bailey, Dendrobium × nitidum (F.M.Bailey) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones, Dendrobium speciosum var. bancroftianum Rchb.f. and Dendrobium jonesii Rendle subsp. bancroftianum (Rchb.f.) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones.
This orchid is popular in cultivation, growing into a large specimen that does well outdoors in climates with a mild winter. It may be grown in an open, coarse orchid growing medium, on a sturdy tree with an open canopy, or as a terrestrial in a well-drained position. It requires very bright light to full sun. Watering is year round in moderation. It is very temperature tolerant as long as it receives good warmth during the growing season. Frost, however, can cause extensive defoliation, an event the plant may require years to recover from. In cultivation D. speciosum can develop extremely large pseudobulbs, and benefits from regular fertilisation. Even in ideal cultivation conditions it may not flower every year, especially so in plants from more southern populations.