A New Species of Dendrobium from Cape York Peninsula and New Guinea

Dendrobium carronii Layarack et Cribb is described, The differences between this and the related D. canaliculatum R. Br. are discussed.The relationships of these two species are considered resulting in the placing of both in the section Ceratobium.A key to the Australian species of this section 1s presented, Dendrobium carronii Lavarack et Cribb sp.nov.affine D. canaliculato R. Br., habitu simile sed floribus majoribus distincte coloratis sepalis albis petalis brunneis longioribus labello luteo lobo medio fere oblongo lobis lateralibus patentibus carinatis apice non elevatis satis distinguendum.Herba -epiphytica,; pseudobulbis 1.5-5 x I-3cm ageregatis brevibus interdum subglobosis medio inflatis purpureis, Foliis apicalibus plerumque 2 sed usque 4 usque 12 x 0,.5cm fere teretibus carnosis dorso longitudinaliter sulcatis.Inflorescentiis 1-3 usque 20cm longis e nodis apicalibus exortis 2-12~floris; rhachido purpureo; bracteis 2 mm longis ovatis acuminatis.Floribus patentibus; pedicello cum ovario 2. cm longo; ovario minute papilloso sub angulo 90° e pedicello exorto.Sepalis 0.5 x 03cm triangularibus acuminatis albis.Petalis 18-2 x 0.2-0.3cm oblanceolatis acutis semel tortis atrobrunneis vel atropurpureis ad basin albis et in centro laminae longitudinaliter fuscatis.Labello I1-I1.4 x 0.7-0.8cmprominenter trilobato luteo; lobo medio oblongo acuto; labis lateralibus rotundatis erectis vel patentibus; callo leniter tricarinato usque ad lobum medium vix attingente.Columna 0.2 x 0.3cm apice denticulata; stelidibus 2 brevibus; pede 0.5 cm longo, mento retrorso colummae + parallelo, anthera apice papillosa basi haud profunde emarginata, Typus.Cook District: Cape York Peninsula, 5 km south of Jacky Jacky Creek 11°00'S 142°28'E, P. Lavarack 2573 (BRI, holotypus).