Dendrobium x superbiens

[MJSK]

I have had a Dendrobium x superbiens for about six months. It hasn't bloomed yet but has been growing a new cane. The information I have is that this plant is a natural cross between D. discolor and D. bigibbum. Is Dendrobium superbiens (without the 'x') the same or a different species?

[WhiteRabbit]

interesting - hope someone has an answer!

[WhiteRabbit]

hmm... well, back on my computer today - tried to find out more about this - the little info I could find seems to support that superbiens is the same as x superbiens

I hope someone will correct me if this is inaccurate

[MJSK]

Perhaps my confusion came from confusing Den. superbum with Den. x superbiens. My Dendrobium x superbiens has canes that grow erect while the pictures I saw of Den. superbum has pendent canes. I am still curious though.

[glengary54]

Originally Posted by MJSK

Perhaps my confusion came from confusing Den. superbum with Den. x superbiens. My Dendrobium x superbiens has canes that grow erect while the pictures I saw of Den. superbum has pendent canes. I am still curious though.

MJSK - Den. x superbiens and Den superbiens are synonyms for one another. To me that says that the plant at one time was thought to be a naturally occuring hybrid and has since been accepted as a valid species.

[MJSK]

Thanks for the clarification. I have come across conflicting information on orchid names and species. I have a Dendrobium aemulum (common name Ironbark Feather Orchid) that was listed as a Dendrobium but came labeled as a Dockrillia.

[DaveT745]

Hi - I'm new to this forum, but noticed your post - I've been looking for this orchid, and I wonder if you might tell me where you got yours. Thanks, Dave

[gnathaniel]

Originally Posted by glengary54

MJSK - Den. x superbiens and Den superbiens are synonyms for one another. To me that says that the plant at one time was thought to be a naturally occuring hybrid and has since been accepted as a valid species.

Other way around, I think: x superbiens is the current accepted designation, indicating it's probably a naturally occurring hybrid population rather than a distinct species. Also, since natural hybrids like this may cross back with their parent species and other unpredictably backcrossed hybrids, a wild x superbiens isn't necessarily the same thing as Den. Judy Flere, the artificial primary hybrid of discolor and bigibbum.

Originally Posted by MJSK

Thanks for the clarification. I have come across conflicting information on orchid names and species. I have a Dendrobium aemulum (common name Ironbark Feather Orchid) that was listed as a Dendrobium but came labeled as a Dockrillia.

Dockrillia is a mostly non-accepted genus roughly synonymous with Dendrobium section Rhizobium. These have thick, succulent leaves and inconspicuous canes/pseudobulbs. AFAIK aemulum is placed in section Dendrocoyne with species like kingianum and speciosum, which vegetatively resemble it more closely than do members of Rhizobium.