Dendrobium crumenatum aka Pigeon Orchid

Dendrobium crumenatum belongs to the orchid family. Its other name is pigeon orchid. This herb lives for years and grows on trees. Its native range spans Taiwan and much of tropical Asia. It includes India and Sri Lanka, plus mainland Southeast Asia. The Philippines also forms part of this range. It reaches Indonesia and New Guinea too. It grows in wet tropical lands and places with short dry seasons.

The plant branches and has long, thin stems. These reach about 2–3 feet [0.6–0.9 metres] in length. One source gives its height as 2.5 feet [0.75 metres]. It forms pseudobulbs, and its leaves hold traces of alkaloids. In the wild, it grows on trees in open forest. It lives on roadside trees and sometimes on boulders too. Some sites hold many plants. Its range extends from sea level to 3,281 feet [1,000 metres].

Gardeners grow this orchid for its flowers and looks. Insects pollinate it. The supplied sources give no bloom season for this species. They give no flower colour or detailed account of its fruit. The RHS describes flowers and leaves for the wider genus only. Those details do not show this species’ traits. The evidence gives no firm light needs or cold-hardiness range. Its wild sites point to a plant of humid tropical places.

Raising seeds depends on a close link with a fungus. The tiny seeds hold very little stored food. Threads of the fungus enter the embryo, the young plant within. They help feed its early growth. The plant digests tissue from the fungus in this process. The seed-growing source says to sow seeds on the surface. It favours fresh seed and says to keep the compost moist. It stresses the need for the linked fungus too. These seed instructions do not show how much water grown plants need.

People gather wild plants for use in local medicine. They put crushed leaves and fruits on boils and pimples. They use warmed pseudobulb juice for ear infections too. Studies of extracts report effects on inflammation, pain responses, and oxidation. These findings do not show that home treatment is safe. Stem fibres serve as trim in baskets and other crafts. The source records no known food use or known hazards. That does not confirm safety for people or pets. The supplied evidence names no specific pests or diseases.