Dendrochilum
Look at that name again — it’s not a Dendrobium, but a Dendrochilum. Both kinds come from Southeast Asia, but Dendrochilums are a separate genus, distinguished by their chains of small flowers. This Dendrochilum tenellum is widespread among many islands of the Philippines, where it is native to cloud forests in mountainous areas.
Near the tips of the grass-like leaves, cascades of minuscule flowers resemble small cream-colored feathers. Not only do the leaves look like grass, but this orchid also grows into a large clump like a grass. Dendrochilums like bright light, regular water during spring and summer, and high humidity.
Each flower is less than 1/8 inch (3 mm) wide. With 30 or more mini-flowers per spike, a large plant can have thousands of flowers at once.
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November 7th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Such delicate little flowers, but the detail in your pictures is amazing! I have never seen orchid leaves like this before. They definitely look more like grass leaves than orchid leaves.
November 14th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
what incredible pictures! those flowers are the smallest i’ve ever seen.
November 24th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
How weird for an orchid to have leaves like that! I guess its no stranger than some other plants I’ve seen.