About Dendrobium jonesii Rendle
Dendrobium jonesii Rendle, commonly known as the oak orchid, is an epiphytic or lithophytic orchid herb. It has dark brownish green pseudobulbs that measure 200–500 mm (8–20 in) long, 30–40 mm (1–2 in) wide, and taper at both ends. Each pseudobulb produces between two and seven thin, leathery, dark green leaves that are 60–150 mm (2–6 in) long and 40–60 mm (1.6–2.4 in) wide. Its flowering stem is 200–350 mm (8–10 in) long, and bears between ten and thirty five resupinate cream-coloured or white flowers. Each flower is 16–20 mm (0.6–0.8 in) long and 20–25 mm (0.8–1 in) wide. The sepals and petals of this species are pointed: sepals are 16–22 mm (0.6–0.9 in) long and 2.5–4.5 mm (0.1–0.2 in) wide, while petals are a similar length to sepals but narrower. The labellum is white with purple markings, about 8 mm (0.3 in) long and 7 mm (0.3 in) wide, and divided into three lobes. The side lobes are curved, and the middle lobe is oblong with an orange ridge running along its midline. Flowering occurs from July to November. This orchid grows in rainforest and open forest, where it often grows epiphytically on she-oaks (Casuarina species), across a range between Iron Range National Park and Paluma. The variety Dendrobium jonesii var. magnificum grows at higher altitudes in the southern part of the overall species' range.
