NEW SOUTH WALES FLORA ONLINE

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Description: Epiphyte or epilith with stems spreading to pendent, wiry, rooting only at base of sympodium, 5–15 cm long, 1–4 mm diam., with 1 leaf at apex; roots smooth, creeping.

Leaves pendent, linear, terete, 10–60 cm long, 3–8 mm diam, succulent, smooth.

Inflorescences 4–10 cm long, 4–15-flowered. Sepals and lateral petals white to pale yellow with a few short red or purple striations at the base; dorsal sepal 20–40 mm long, 2–3 mm wide; labellum white to pale yellow, dotted with deep purple, 18–30 mm long, 4–6 mm wide. Column 2–2.5 mm long; column foot 3–5 mm long.

Flower Photo W. Cherry

Flowering: July–October

Distribution and occurrence: Grows almost exclusively on Casuarina glauca but uncommonly also recorded from rainforest trees, chiefly in coastal districts north from near Bega and inland to the upper Hunter Valley.
NSW subdivisions: NC, CC, SC, CT, CWS
Other Australian states: Qld

AVH map***

Dendrobium teretifolium comprises a range of morphotypes, and these have been formally recognised as varieties or species. While there is no doubt that plants of D. teretifolium in south-eastern Australia may differ in flower colour, number of flowers per raceme, and may grow on different host tree species, whether those differences reflect separate species status has not been addressed empirically. Therefore we adopt a conservative stance on the circumscription of D. teretifolium which treats morphotypes in New South Wales as varieties. Empirical evidence supporting separate species status for these varietes will result in their being recognised as such.