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Synonyms: Thelychiton kingianus (Bidwill ex Lindl.) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones APNI*
Thelychiton pulcherrimus (Rupp) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones APNI*
Dendrobium kingianum var. pulcherrimum Rupp APNI*
Dendrobium kingianum var. silcockii F.M.Bailey APNI*
Dendrobium kingianum var. aldersoniae F.M.Bailey APNI*

Description: Epilith or rarely epiphyte or terrestrial; stems erect to spreading, succulent, thickest at the base and tapering markedly towards apex, rooting only at base, 5–30 cm long, 1.1–2.2 mm diam., with 3–6 leaves at apex; roots smooth, creeping.

Leaves spreading to erect, narrow-elliptic to narrow-obovate, 3–10 cm long, 10–20 mm wide, conduplicate, thin, smooth.

Inflorescences 7–15 cm long, 2–15-flowered. Sepals and lateral petals white to deep purple but usually pink; dorsal sepal 9–16 mm long, 4–7 mm wide; labellum with a green keel and usually boldly marked with purple, 8–15 mm long, 7–12 mm wide. Column c. 3 mm long; column foot 5–8 mm long.

Flower Photo J. & P. Edwards

Flowering: late August through to early November. Different clones of this species are known to flower consistently earlier or later during the flowering season, and may scarcely overlap in thier flowering times in cultivation.

Distribution and occurrence: Grows on rocks or occasionally on soil and very rarely on trees in open forest to woodland and in exposed situations from near sea level to c. 1200 m alt.; north from the Hunter R.
NSW subdivisions: NC, NT
Other Australian states: Qld

AVH map***

A variable species in growth habit, pseudobulb stature, flower size, flower colour, flower segment shape, and tendency toward kiekie production. Sporadically hybridizes with D. speciosum (producing D. x delicatum(F.M.Bailey) F.M.Bailey.