Plant
Dendrobium unicum
Dendrobium unicumAlso known as Unique Dendrobium
Vivid tangerine-orange blossoms burst directly from dormant, leafless pseudobulbs to give this miniature epiphytic orchid its eye-catching seasonal appearance. Growing high in cool, mountain forests across Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam, it produces flowers with uniquely reflexed lips and a sweet fragrance reminiscent of ripe tangerines. Plants undergo a pronounced dry winter rest, shedding leaves before flowering heavily as spring approaches.
EpiphyteBright OrangeFragrant
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preySunlight, Rainwater, Atmospheric minerals
Predators
- Slugs
- Snails
- Caterpillars
ThreatsIllegal wild collection and forest habitat destruction
HabitatsHighland deciduous and evergreen mountain forests
Life spanPerennial (10 to 20+ years)
Classification
- OrderAsparagales
- FamilyOrchidaceae
- GenusDendrobium
- SpeciesDendrobium unicum
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
- What to notice
- Recognizable by short ridged pseudobulbs bearing vivid orange blossoms on bare stems.
- Support conservation
- Enjoy and photograph wild plants where they grow, never disturbing or collecting wild specimens.
Responsible observation
- Look for Blooms: Check leafless stems during late winter and spring for brilliant orange flowers.
- Aroma Detection: Lean in close to blooming plants to catch a subtle citrus fragrance.
- Habitat Spotting: Scan mossy branches on highland trees in seasonally dry mountain forests.
Genus Member (c) Utain Pummarin, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Utain Pummarin · cc-by
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