Jane-Goodall Orchid
Dendrobium goodallianum
Orchid family (Orchidaceae)
Named after a primatologist
The Jane-Goodall orchid was discovered in 2003 during a collecting trip by members of the Leiden Botanical Garden and Naturalis, and was officially named in 2015. Dendrobium goodallianum is named after the famous primate researcher, Jane Goodall.
Dendrobium goodallianum flowers for only one day with a coconut-like fragrance – a distinctive characteristic as most orchids are virtually perfume-less. The plant is currently growing in a research greenhouse, which is not open to the public, because to date there is only one specimen known - the one in Leiden.
The region where the orchid originates from, Papua New Guinea, has succumbed to large-scale logging since 2003 and the habitat of the plant has probably been destroyed.
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This recently discovered orchid acquired its name in 2014. The plant was being cultivated in the Leiden Botanic Garden and only when it flowered for the first time was it realised that this plant was actually an unknown species. The two collectors decided to name the plant after the famous primatologist, Jane Goodall, in recognition of the many years she spent working for nature conservation and a sustainable partnership between man and nature.
Details
Description: | Epiphyte, up to 1.60 m. |
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Distributions: | Papua new guinea |
Habitat: | River bank, disturbed vegetation, at 450 m in altitude. |
Year cycle: | Perennial (trees and shrubs included) |
Flowering period: | Maart - juni |
Flower color: | White, creme, purple |
Notes on flowers: | Cream, white, lilac |
At its best: | Maart - juni |