Dendrobium linguiforme [Syn. Dockrillia linguiformis], the Tongue Orchid, has the distinction of being the first Australian orchid formally described — by Olof Swartz in 1800. It is one of the most widely grown and adaptable of the Australian native epiphytes, occurring naturally from the south coast of New South Wales north to far north Queensland, on both trees and exposed rock faces. The thick, fleshy, tongue-shaped leaves are arranged along a prostrate creeping rhizome that spreads and mats over its substrate over time. Few Australian native orchids are as forgiving in cultivation — it tolerates heat, low water, sun exposure, and a broad temperature range. Once established on a suitable mount it largely looks after itself.

What to expect

• Flowering: Late winter to spring. Erect racemes of up to 20 flowers per spike, fragrant.
• Flowers: White to cream with pink-purple markings on the lip. Small — approximately 10mm across — but produced in quantity and pleasantly scented.
• Plant: Prostrate, creeping rhizome with fleshy tongue-shaped leaves. Spreads progressively across its mount over time. Supplied as an established division.

Growing notes

• Temperature: Cool to warm. Highly adaptable — tolerates a wide temperature range including summer heat. One of the more heat-tolerant Australian native epiphytes.
• Light: Bright to high light. Tolerates more sun than most Dockrillia. In habitat it grows on exposed rock faces and open tree trunks.
• Water: Water freely in summer; reduce significantly in winter. Tolerates drought once established. Allow to dry thoroughly between waterings.
• Mounting: Must be grown mounted — on cork, hardwood slab, or directly onto rock or bark. Pot culture is rarely successful due to the creeping rhizome habit. Avoid repotting or disturbing established plants.
• Feeding: Light feeding with dilute balanced fertiliser through the growing season. Cease in winter.

Shipping & condition

Supplied as an established division. Packed carefully to protect the rhizome and root system during transit. Ships from the Dandenong Ranges, Victoria.