Dendrochilum (commonly abbreviated Ddc. in horticulture[2]) is a genus of epiphytic, lithophytic and a few terrestrial flowering plants in the orchid family (Orchidaceae). The name of this genus is derived from Ancient Greek words dendron (“tree”), and either cheilos (“lip”)[3] or chilos (“green food”),[citation needed] alluding to either the flowers’ large lip or to their epiphytic growth. These orchids are popular among fans of non-traditional orchid curiosities.
They are distributed at higher elevations in the humid rainforests throughout the Malesian region, with some in the surrounding lands; thus they occur from Southeast Asia to New Guinea. But most species are found on Borneo or the Philippines.[1]
This genus produces miniature, fragrant, star-shaped flowers that are generally produced in two rows on erect or arching pendant, many-flowered racemes. These inflorescences can grow to a length of 50 cm (e.g. in the Hay-scented Orchid, D. glumaceum). The stems are ovoid to cylindrical, striped, sharply reduced pseudobulbs, about 4–10 cm long, with green to brown bracts at their base. Each carries one or two tough, erect and lanceolate leaves, usually about 20 cm long, with narrow petioles. The elliptical leaves of the Long-leaved Dendrochilum (D. longifolium) may grow to a length of 40 cm.
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