NEW SOUTH WALES FLORA ONLINE

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Synonyms: Dendrobium fairfaxii F.Muell. & Fitzg. APNI*
Dockrillia fairfaxii (F.Muell. & Fitzg.) Rauschert APNI*

Description: Epiphyte or rarely epilith with stems spreading to pendent, wiry, rooting mostly at base of the sympodium but also occasionally from more apical stems, with 1 leaf at apex; roots smooth, mostly creeping.

Leaves pendent, linear, terete, 10–70 cm long, 4–6 mm diam, succulent, smooth.

Inflorescences 1–5 cm long, 1–4-flowered. Sepals and lateral petals white to cream with red or purple striations at the base; dorsal sepal 20–35 mm long, 2–3 mm wide; labellum cream, spotted and marked with reddish purple, 20–35 mm long, 3.5–6 mm wide. Column 2–4 mm long; column foot 4–6 mm long.

Flowering: August–October

Distribution and occurrence: Grows on trees and rarely on rocks in rainforest; most common in the ranges to 1000 m alt., but also at lower elevations, north from the Blue Mtns.
NSW subdivisions: NC, NT, CT
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. Publication of empirical evidence supporting separate species status for these varieties will result in their being recognised as such.