New orchid species discovered in Sumatra, Indonesia

Antara 4 Apr 10;

Bandung (ANTARA News) - New orchid species had been found by Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) researchers.

The new orchid species was named "Dendrobium Kelamense" because it was a member of the Dendobrium genus, Calcarifera orchid species, one of the researchers, Destario Metusala, said here Sunday.

Destario said that the "Dendrobium Kelamense" spread in the western part of Indonesia in Sumatra Island.

He said that the joint research with senior orchid experts from Singapore and an English senior researcher from the Kew herbarium will not reveal the new species discovery site for conservation purposes.

"Because large scale exploitation of the species in their habitat usually occurs each time new species had been revealed," he said.

The new species has also been published in an international journal, "Malesian Orchid Journal in March 2010.

Dendrobium Kelamense grows in an epiphytes (a plant that grows on another plant, but does not feed on its host) cluster with adult 60-110 cm stem.

This orchid inflorescence appears to hang at the near end of the stem, with a length of 5 to 8.5 cm with five to 12 flowers.

Each flower that blooms has a width of about two centimeters and a length of 3-3.5cm, with bright yellow petals and a maroon parallel elongated patches.

According to Destario, the Dendrobium Kelamense orchid has a great potential for development.(*)