About Dendrobium anosmum Lindl.
Dendrobium anosmum Lindl., commonly called the unscented dendrobium, is an epiphytic orchid species that produces large purple flowers. It has a wide distribution across Southeast Asia, ranging from Sri Lanka to New Guinea, and can be found in regions including Indochina, Indonesia, and the Philippines, among others. Contrary to what its common name and scientific name suggest, D. anosmum typically has a strong fragrance that resembles raspberries. This species was first formally described by English botanist John Lindley, using plant specimens collected in the Philippines. In 1839, Lindley named the first scented varieties of this orchid Dendrobium macrophyllum. Six years later, in 1845, he obtained unscented specimens and named them Dendrobium anosmum, a name chosen to reflect that these specimens had no detectable scent. It has since been confirmed that these two named groups actually belong to the same species. The newer name Dendrobium anosmum is currently used, because the older name Dendrobium macrophyllum that Lindley gave is invalid: it is a homonym of the pastor's orchid Dendrobium macrophyllum, which was already described by French botanist Achille Richard in 1834. In the Philippines, this species has the local Tagalog name sanggumay. This name is a portmanteau of the Tagalog words masangsang, meaning overpowering scent, and nakakaumay, meaning tiresome, which refers to the orchid's strong overpowering smell. Another local Filipino name for this species is latigo, meaning horsewhip, a name that refers to its long, pendulous canes that become deciduous before flowering. This is one of the most commonly cultivated orchid species in the Philippines. In Hawaii, the species is called hono-hono. It is also sometimes referred to as purple rain in English.
