The difference between Dendrobium and Dendrobium candidum

1. Differences in stems

The stem of Dendrobium is upright, slightly flattened cylindrical, about 10-60 cm long and about 1.3 cm thick. It is slightly curved at the top and becomes noticeably narrower at the base. It has no branches and has many nodes.

The stem of Dendrobium officinale is cylindrical, shorter and thinner than the former, about 9-35 cm long and 2-4 mm thick. It is also unbranched, with multiple nodes, and the internodes are about 1.3-1.7 cm long.

2. Difference of blades

The leaves of Dendrobium are leathery, oblong in shape, about 6-11 cm long, 1-3 cm wide, obtuse at the apex and in two unequal rows, with a sheath at the base that embraces the stem.

The leaves of Dendrobium officinale are papery, oblong-lanceolate, and not as wide as the former, about 3-7 cm long and 9-15 mm wide. Its leaf edges and midribs are lavender, and the leaf sheaths also have purple spots.

3. The difference between flowers

The flowers of Dendrobium are large, with oblique, broadly oval petals that are white in color with purple tips.

The petals of Dendrobium officinale are yellow-green and oblong-lanceolate.