Dendrobium nobile* Lindl. is an epiphytic plant belonging to the Orchidaceae family, commonly found in warm, humid mountain forests, growing on tree trunks or rocks.
It prefers a partially shaded environment, relying on the grooves in tree bark and moss to absorb water and nutrients, and can thrive without soil.
Its stems grow upright in clumps, slightly flattened and cylindrical in shape, with distinct nodes. When dried, they turn a golden yellow resembling a hairpin, hence the name ‘Golden Hairpin.’
The leaves are leathery, oblong in shape, with slightly lobed tips, and grow closely attached to the stem nodes.
From April to May each year, old stems produce flower branches, blooming elegant flowers—white petals with pale purple edges, and a deep purple streak at the centre of the lip petal, resembling a resting colourful butterfly, delicate and ethereal.
This tree-dwelling spirit adorns the lush forests with its unique form, becoming a stunning adornment in the natural world.
