Dendrobium anceps is an epiphyte native to Nepal, India, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand and Vietnam. The branches arise close to the same point and arch gracefully from the center. The stems are covered with pointed, flattened, imbricate (overlapping) leaves. A full well-developed plant makes the hanging pot looks like a scaly green ball.

The pale yellow flowers arise singly along the stem, each at a leaf node. And each flower is a perfect tiny (less than 15 millimeters) version of complete orchid bloom. Even in bloom, the flowers are seldom noticed since they reside on the underside of the branches. The flowers are said to smell faintly of baked apples, but I’ve never noticed any fragrance.

The pollinator of Dendrobium anceps is unknown, perhaps a small bee. Obviously the flower contains an enticing nectary. Early in the morning when I tapped the photographed flower, numerous black ants fled like rodeo clowns emerging from a rickety car. 

 

(Compiled from: W3Tropicos nomenclatural database, Jim Solomon, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis and personal observations of the plant)