A Guide to Dendrobium of Borneo

Dendrobium, with approximately 1580 species, is one of the most diverse genera in the orchid family and the second biggest orchid genus in Southeast Asia after Bulbophyllum. Its natural range extends from Japan south across the Pacific to Tahiti and New Zealand, and from China and India to New Guinea and Australia. Centres of speciation are found in the Himalayan region, Indochina, the Malay Archipelago (especially Sumatra and Borneo), the Philippines and New Guinea.

Borneo is one of several ‘hot spots’ of Dendrobium speciation. With approximately 167 named species in 15 sections, Borneo is the second most important location after New Guinea of Dendrobium speciation in Malesia. Eighty-three species, representing a selection from each of the 15 sections, are described and figured in this guide. Most occur as epiphytes in hill and lower montane forest at moderate elevation, mostly between about 900 and 1600 m.