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Dendrobium lichenastrum and Dendrobium prenticei comparison

Discussion in 'Orchid Species' started by KellyW, May 28, 2016.

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  1. May 28, 2016 #1
    KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    According to Kew these are the same species o_O and even the common use of Dendrobium lichenastrum var. prenticei is considered a synonym. Personally, I see them as 2 different species and have them labelled as such. The flowers of both can be highly variable so the coloration wouldn't be a determining factor but the size, shape and texture of the leaves as well as the plant habit are distinctly different. Below are side by side comparisons.

    D. lichenastrum is on the left; D. prenticei on the right.
    Not obvious in the photos but the lichenastrum leaves are flattened in cross-section and reminds me of a tick. D. prenticei has leaves that are terete and circular in cross-section
    Dockrillia side by side3 RAW-900.jpg
    D. lichenastrum on the left; D. prenticei on the right
    side by side2-900.jpg Dockrillia side by side RAW-900.jpg
    D. lichenastrum
    lichenastrum close-900.jpg

    D. prenticei (syn. lichenastrum var. prenticei)
    prenticei close-700.jpg
     
    J E, Pixietoe, piotrm and 5 others like this.
  2. May 29, 2016 #2
    DPfarr

    DPfarr Well-Known Member

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    My lichenastrum flowers look like the flowers of my prenticei clone. I feel like they should be the same species.
     
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  3. May 29, 2016 #3
    KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Do your plants look as different as mine?
     
  4. May 30, 2016 #4
    DPfarr

    DPfarr Well-Known Member

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    Oh yes, the anatomy is the same. Your lichenastrum is really light in comparison.
     
  5. May 30, 2016 #5
    MattWoelfsen

    MattWoelfsen Active Member

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    I have both variations. My Dendrobium lichenastrum came from eBay vendor "mostlyspecies". The Dendrobium lichenastrum var prenticei came from somewhere else. It is not doing too well.

    Both look different to me. Both live in exactly the same space, yet the prenticei is having problems.
     
  6. May 30, 2016 #6
    KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Matt, it sounds like the lichenastrum is mounted/potted appropriately for your conditions. Perhaps you should remount/repot the prenticei in a similar fashion and see if it responds.
     
  7. Jun 1, 2016 #7
    MattWoelfsen

    MattWoelfsen Active Member

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    Thanks for this advice. I shall try that.