Dendrobium loddigesii

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Dendrobium loddigesii var. album
• Callista loddigesii

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Dendrobium loddigesii, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Asparagales. Finally, it is a member of the family Orchidaceae and the genus Dendrobium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across various regions of Asia. In China, it can be found specifically in the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan areas. Its presence extends further into the Indo-China peninsula as well. Within this region, the species is documented to inhabit both Cambodia and Laos. Consequently, its habitat spans multiple distinct ecological zones throughout these territories.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Dendrobium loddigesii is characterized by its specialized existence as a lithophyte, a growth habit that allows it to thrive in rocky environments where it anchors itself to stone substrates. As a perennial orchid, its developmental cycle involves the formation of robust, succulent pseudobulbs that serve as critical storage organs for water and nutrients, enabling the plant to survive periods of desiccation common in its lithophytic niche. The plant undergoes a seasonal growth pattern where new vegetative shoots emerge from the base of the existing pseudobulbs, expanding its canopy through a slow but steady accumulation of biomass. Its reproductive phase is marked by the production of elongated inflorescences that bear numerous fragrant flowers, typically triggered by specific environmental cues such as changes in light intensity or moisture availability. Following successful pollination, the plant produces microscopic, wind-dispersed seeds that require specific symbiotic fungal associations in the substrate to achieve germination and transition into a protocorm stage. Through this complex cycle of vegetative expansion and episodic flowering, Dendrobium loddigesii maintains its presence within its specialized ecological niche.

Life form :

lithophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Dendrobium loddigesii is characterized by its growth habit as a non-woody plant that exhibits a facultative epiphytic nature, allowing it to grow on other structures while maintaining the ability to exist in other environments. It functions as a self-supporting climber, utilizing its structural adaptations to maintain posture without relying on a host for nutrients, as it is an independent organism rather than a parasite.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

facultative

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Dendrobium loddigesii has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include stem.

Stem

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Chemicals

Dendrobium loddigesii has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Polysaccharide, Esters, Flavonoid, Shihunidine, Shihunine.

Polysaccharide

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials
2. Genomics

Esters

1. Guang pu xue yu guang pu fen xi = Guang pu

Flavonoid

1. Genomics

Shihunidine

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

Shihunine

1. Yao xue xue bao = Acta pharmaceutica Sinica

ketones

1. Guang pu xue yu guang pu fen xi = Guang pu

Preparations

Dendrobium loddigesii has 4 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Drying in the shade, SCE A, fire drying at different temperature, twist and fire drying.

Drying in the shade

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Sce a

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Fire drying at different temperature

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Twist and fire drying

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials