This unique Australian orchid can be named (at least) three different ways, depending upon whether Dendrobium prenticei and Dendrobium (Dockrillia) lichenastrum are considered conspecific, and whether you separate Dockrillia from Dendrobium. I am certainly not qualified for taxonomic discussion of this intriguing group of orchids. My perspective is like many Australians: the separation of these unique orchids into Dockrillia makes intuitive sense. However, Dendrobium is the accepted genus by Kew.
We have three forms of this species, with a gradation in size of the canes. The largest is generally considered to be Dendrobium prenticei and the smallest being the form of Dendrobium lichenastrum in the majority of photographs below. The final photograph is my “large form” of Dendrobium lichenastrum (as described by Andy Phillips), or intermediate in size between the “small form” and Dendrobium prenticei.
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