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×Vappacalum lavarackianum (M.A.Clem.) M.A.Clem. & D.L.Jones, Orchadian 13(11): 492 (2002).
Dendrobium × lavarackianum M.A.Clem., Austral. Orch. Res. 1: 55 (1989), nom.; Dendrobium bigibbum var. venosum F.M.Bailey., Bot. Bull. Dept. Agric. Queensland (7): 18 (1890); Dendrobium bigibbum forma venosum (F.M.Bailey) F.M.Bailey, Queensl. fl. 5: 1524 (1902). Type: cult. Brisbane, J.A. Beal s.n. ex Cape York, [Anon] (holo BRI).
Dendrobium bigibbum var. georgei C.T.White, Proc. Roy. Soc. Queensland 47: 81 (1936). Type: cult. Brisbane, Jan.1931, H.J. Hockings s.n. ex Australia: Dayman Island?, Torres Strait, H.J. Hockings s.n. (holo BRI).
Occurs in far north-eastern Queensland on some Torres Strait islands, and in the northern parts of Cape York Peninsula.
Altitude: 0-150 m.
Epiphytic or lithophytic herb forming small to medium-sized clumps. Pseudobulbs crowded, erect, cylindrical, 30-60 cm x 2-2.5 cm, green or purplish. Leaves 8-13, scattered along upper half of stem, erect to prostrate, distichous, alternate, sessile, bases sheathing pseudobulb; lamina ovate to lanceolate, 8-14 cm x 4-5 cm wide, dark green, tough. Inflorescence an axillary raceme, 200-400 mm long, arching. Flowers 8-20, resupinate, erect to porrect, 35-45 mm wide, pink to mauve, sometimes with white margins. Sepals and petals spreading to recurved, often undulate. Dorsal sepal oblong, 20-25 mm x 8-10 mm. Lateral sepals similar to dorsal sepal, 20-25 mm x 8-10 mm, fused to column foot at base. Petals broader than sepals, obovate to spathulate, 25-28 mm x 16-20 mm. Labellum 22 mm x 20 mm, 3-lobed; lateral lobes erect, prominently veined, embracing column; midlobe decurved; margins undulate, with 5 hairy ridges. Column porrect, 4-6 mm long, with longitudinal ridge. Column foot 10-13 mm long. Capsules penduluous, dehiscent.
Rare natural hybrid between X Vappaculum superbiens and Vappodes bigibba. The plants grow in relatively exposed situations in stunted scrub.
Flowering period: January-May.
Until recently known as Dendrobium × lavarackianum.
