Notes: illustrations from Orchids of the Blue Mountains by Isobel Bowden.
Dendrobium speciosum is not only a widespread Australian orchid but also a very variable orchid, forming a species complex. Its varieties can be found in wildly varying habitats as an epiphyte (on branches of rainforest trees) or a lithophyte (on sandstone in open forest) in a continuous distribution along the east coast of Australia and in distinct populations along the Tropic of Capricorn. As a lithophyte, it forms gigantic spreading clumps on rocks and cliff faces, often in full sun, with its roots forming dense, matted beds across the rock. It can be found from sea level to mountain tops.
Format: original watercolour illustration
Date Range: illustration c.1950
Location: Miss Bowden lived in Fletcher St, within walking distance of Wentworth Falls and Valley of the Waters.
Licensing: Attribution, share alike, creative commons. .
Repository: Blue Mountains City Library
bmcc.ent.sirsidynix.net.au/client/en_AU/default/
Part of: Local Studies Collection - LS Images
Provenance: Bowden Archive
Links:
www.bluemountains.org.au/documents/submissions/bs150209-i...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dendrobium_speciosum 