Dendrobium Swartz 1799, is a large tropical genus of orchid that consists of about 1200 species.

This genus occurs in diverse habitats throughout Asia, the Philippines, Borneo, Australia, New Guinea and New Zealand.

The species are either epiphytic, growing on a tree, or occasionally lithophytic, growing over a rock. They have adapted to a wide variety of habitats, from the high altitudes in the Himalayan mountains to lowland tropical forests and even to the dry climate of the Australian desert.

Painting of a typical Dendrobium, by I.V.Passmoore
probably the hybrid Dendrobium Lucky Seven

The orchids in this genus develop large pseudobulbs, which unite into a long reedlike stem with a typical length of more than 30 cm. These are densily covered with short white hairs. The short, ovate leaves grow alternately over the whole length of the stems. The axillary flower buds develop into short flower stalks with one or two terminal flowers. The orchids grow quickly throughout summer, but take a long rest during winter. In the spring, new shoots are formed from the base of the main plant and the dormant buds come back into action. The blooming flowers are found on pseudobulbs formed in the previous year.

Some species are in great demand by orchid lovers. This has resulted in numerous varieties and hybrids, such as the Dendrobium nobile varieties, which have greatly extended the range of colors of the orginal flower from the Himalayas.

Species with common name

• Dendrobium aduncum : Angelfish Orchid
• Dendrobium aemulum : Ironbark Orchid

• Dendrobium aurantiroseum Aunty Rosie
• Dendrobium beckleri : Pencil Orchid
• Dendrobium bigibbum : Cooktown Orchid
• Dendrobium canaliculatum  : Antelope Orchid, Teatree Orchid
• Dendrobium chrysotoxum : Fried-egg Orchid
• Dendrobium crumenatum : Dove Orchid, Pigeon Orchid, Sparrow Orchid
• Dendrobium cucumerinum : Cucumber Orchid
• Dendrobium densiflorum : Pineapple Orchid
• Dendrobium discolor : Golden Orchid
• Dendrobium ephemerum : Small white Orchid
• Dendrobium falcarostrum : Beech Orchid
• Dendrobium gouldii (light coloured) : Guadalcanal Gold
• Dendrobium gouldii (blue form)  : Florida Blue
• Dendrobium gracilicaule : Leopard Orchid
• Dendrobium hasseltii : Spinach Orchid
• Dendrobium kingianum : Pink rock lily

• Dendrobium kingianum : Pink Rock Orchid, Pink Rock >Lily
• Dendrobium lawesii : Christmas bell Orchid
• Dendrobium linguaeforme : Thumbnail Orchid, Tongue Orchid
• Dendrobium macarthiae : Vesak Mala
• Dendrobium macrophylum (musciferum) : The Pastor's Orchid
• Dendrobium mirbelianum : Mangrove Orchid
• Dendrobium monophyllum : Lily of the Valley Orchid
• Dendrobium mortii : Pencil Orchid, Rattail Orchid
• Dendrobium nindii : Cowslip Orchid
• Dendrobium ostrinoglossum  : May River Orchid, Sepik Blue Orchid
• Dendrobium pugioniforme : Dagger Orchid
• Dendrobium racemosum : Rat tail Orchid
• Dendrobium ruppianum (fusiforme) Small Demon, Small lemon orchid
• Dendrobium secundum : Toothbrush Orchid
• Dendrobium senile : Old Man Orchid
• Dendrobium smilliae : Bottle-brush Orchid

• Dendrobium speciosum : Captain King's Dendrobium, King Orchid, Pink Rock Orchid, Rock Lily
• Dendrobium striolatum : Rat tail Orchid, Streaked Rock Orchid
• Dendrobium superbum : Honohono
• Dendrobium taurinum : Bull Orchid
• Dendrobium tenuissimum : Rattail Orchid
• Dendrobium teretifolium : Bridal-veil Orchid, Pencil Orchid, Rattail Orchid
• Dendrobium tetragonum : Spider Orchid, Tree Spider Orchid
• Dendrobium victoriae-reginae : Blue Orchid

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