By: Else Demeulenaere
Originally published in the Pacific Daily News 

Dendrobium guamense is an orchid endemic to the Mariana Islands, meaning these orchids only occur on the Mariana Islands archipelago and nowhere else in the world.

An epiphyte, which is a plant that grows on another plant, the orchid grows on various tree species.

Because the orchid likes high sunlight levels, it is often found growing on outer branches of large trees, such as the Elaeocarpus yoga.

I have even seen them grow on Serianthes nelsonii – Tronkon Guåfi on Luta. But the orchids can also be found on old stumps and smaller trees.

Fragrant flowers

During the month of July, the orchid typically shows off its delicate white, yellowish flowers. The two flowered raceme is fragrant.

In botanical terms, a raceme is a type of inflorescence composed of a number of flowers on a pedicel (stalk), in this case two.

The happy duo is positioned between two leaves. They do not have a long pedicel, like many orchids do. The white flowers contrast perfectly with the green, grass-like leaves.

When the petals emerge, they are curled up, before showing off their subtle natural look. When the orchid fruits, a small pot, holding small seeds, appears. These can be used for propagation.

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