Diplocaulobium (Rchb.f.) Kraenzl.,
in Engl., Pflanzenr. IV. 50. II. B. 21 (1910) 331
Sympodial epiphytic plants. Pseudobulbs present, consisting of one internode, one-leaved. Leaves without sheathing base, glabrous, dorso-ventrally flattened, articulate, duplicate, leathery. Inflorescence terminal, carrying a single flower. Flowers medium-sized to large, resupinate, predominantly white, but also various other colours, ephemeral. Sepals free. Petals usually similar to the dorsal sepal, but sometimes quite different. Lip without spur, not mobile. Column-foot present. Pollinia 4, solid-waxy, caudicles absent, stipe absent, viscidium absent.
Distribution
Malesia, Australia, Solomon islands, east to Samoa; about 70 species.
Distribution in the Philippines
Negros, Leyte, Mindanao (Lanao, Surigao). One species [Diplocaulobium clemensiae (Ames) A.D.Hawkes].
Habitat
Epiphyte in lowland forest.
Notes
Diplocaulobium is nearly allied to Dendrobium. It is mainly distinguished by the following combination of characters: 1-leaved pseudobulbs consisting of a single internode (often strongly tapering towards the apex), inflorescence terminal, 1-flowered, flowers ephemeral. The centre of diversity is clearly in New Guinea.