Which one of these is relatively common than the other?
I have Dendrobium hancockii and Dendrobium odiosum.
I didn't realize they were two separate species until I read some info about them on Jay's Internet Orchid Encyclopedia. Then I went back to the nursery and looked at the bamboo-like Dendrobiums they have growing on their racks. They had them growing next to each other which was why I assumed they were all the same. But then, I started seeing how different one was compared to the other. And then I asked the nursery owner if they were two distinct species and he said yes.
Both look like bamboo. Both have yellow flowers that are shaped similarly. Both smell like honey.
However...Dendrobium odiosum is a much smaller plant overall. The edges of the lip curl inwards. It's leaves are more rectangular/trapezoidal in shape and are between 3/4" and 1" long. Buds are egg shaped for Den odiosum
Whereas...Dendrobium hancockii is a much larger plant overall. The lip on this flower is fully open Not to mention, the leaves taper to a point and are roughly 2" to 2.5" on Den hancockii. Buds for this one are an elongated teardrop shaped.
Which one is more common?
I'm not sure of this, but I think they also sell a third species that's very similar to Den odiosum unknowingly as well. If this is a separate species the only difference between Dendrobium odiosum and this supposedly different species is that the lip resembles that of Dendrobium hancockii. Everything from the size to leaf size and shape, flower color and shape, fragrance, and plant form are the same as each other.
BTW I don't accept the name Dendrobium hainanense as an official species name for the possible third species. I think it's one of those unofficial official horticultural names (ie. Bulbophyllum 'palawanense' hort). The "species" name Dendrobium hainanense according to Jay's Internet Orchid Encyclopedia (provided he's correct), has been attached to at least two unrelated orchids.
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