Dendrobium discolor

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Dendrobium discolor, commonly known as the antler orchid or golden orchid, is a butterfly-shaped orchid that grows on trees or rocks (epiphytic or lithophytic). It is native to northern Australia, New Guinea, and parts of Indonesia (including the Maluku Islands and Sulawesi).

What it looks like
- It has cylindrical green or yellowish pseudobulbs that can be very long and are 30–60 mm wide, sometimes over 8 cm thick.
- Each plant carries 10–35 leathery leaves, about 60–160 mm long.
- A flowering stem 200–600 mm long bears 8–40 flowers that are light to dark brown or yellowish, with wavy and twisted sepals and petals.
- Flowers are 30–80 mm in size. Sepals are 20–35 mm long and 4–7 mm wide; petals are 20–40 mm long and 5–8 mm wide.
- The labellum (lip) has mauve to purple markings, with three lobes—the side lobes spread outward and the middle lobe curves downward with ridges and wavy edges.
- The plant flowers from April to December.

Name and classification
- It was first described in 1841 by John Lindley. The name discolor means “variegated” or “different colors.”
- There are several forms and subspecies recognized, including broomfieldii.

Where it grows
- It inhabits coastal scrub and mangroves, coastal rainforest, and woodlands, and it can grow on rocks as well.

Conservation
- In Queensland, it is listed as Special Least Concern under the Nature Conservation Act.