Dendrobium aberrans Schltr. 1912 is a small botanical orchid species, atypical in appearance - it has stems that look more like bulbs than "reeds", this fact probably influencing the name "aberrans".

Valid synonyms for Dendrobium Aberrans are Sayeria aberrans (Schltr.) Rauschert, Feddes Repert. 94 (1983) 466 and Asarum aberrans (Schltr.) Archila, Revista Guatemalensis 18(1) (2015) 31, nom. illegal (not Asarum L.), the last synonym being illegitimate.

Dendrobium Aberrans was described in 1912 by Friedrich Richard Rudolf Schlechther, German taxonomist and botanist (October 16, 1872 - November 16, 1925), author of important works on orchids, summarizing his research in Africa, Indonesia, New Guinea, Central America and South and Australia. His vast herbarium, with many valuable specimens, was destroyed during the bombing of Berlin in 1945.

The systematic classification of this botanical species is as follows: subfamily Epidendroideae, tribe Dendrobieae, subtribe Dendrobiinae, genus Dendrobium, section Latouria, species Dendrobium Aberrans.

Dendrobium Aberrans presents itself as an epiphytic species, with aggregated pseudobulbs, tightly grouped, narrowly clavate, glossy, dark green with shades of khaki, olive or even brown towards the apical area, 3 - 20 cm long and 0.4 - 1, 3 cm wide, arranged on rhizomes with 3 - 4 nodes. The leaves, 3.5 - 10.2 cm long and 1.6 - 3.1 cm wide, inserted apically on the pseudobulbs, elliptic-lanceolate, acute or acuminate, are leathery. The inflorescences are multiple, frequently appearing several on the same pseudobulb, pendent, erect or arcuate-pendent, on stems 6 - 8 cm long, with thin peduncles, with a charming appearance, they are provided with ovate-elliptic bracts, acute, 2 - 4.5 mm long. The flowers open wide, presenting an elliptical and obtuse dorsal sepal, 7 mm long and 5 mm wide, and obtuse oblong-elliptical lateral sepals, 7 - 9 mm long and 6.5 mm wide. The presence of a subglobose mentum, 5 mm long, can be noted. The petals are lanceolate, rounded at the apex, 6.5 mm long and 3 mm wide, with protruding apical edges. The labellum is clavate, opens wide, trilobed, with flabellate outline, with pronounced raised venation. It is 1 cm long and 1.4 cm wide, with obovate side lobes, with prominent edges on the central lobe, considerably smaller than those present on the side lobes and deeply emarginate towards the middle of the length. The column, small in size, with fleshy callus, has three discrete ridges, is 2 mm long, and is recurved.

A botanical species with a distinct presence within the Dendrobium genus, it belongs to the Latouria section, whose members present a mentum rather saccate or subsaccate than conical, in lateral view. Equally, the labellum also presents a distinct appearance, being wider rather than long and with the lateral lobes generally larger than the median lobe, the latter being deeply emarginated. Dendrobium Aberrans stands out for the presence of white or cream-white flowers, particularly imposing, fragrant , often marked with shades of pink in the column area.

With a distribution that covers Papua New Guinea, especially the western area, where it inhabits in epiphytic resorts the forests of Castanopsis, Nothofagus and tree ferns, at altitudes between 300 and 1900 m, from the Bowutu (Maboro) mountains to the south of the city of Lae.

In the natural environment, Dendrobium Aberrans blooms in May, June, August and December.

The light radiation value for this species will be in the range of 20,000 - 30,000 lux, indicating the preference of this taxon for strong light, but without direct sunlight.

The growing temperature can be constant throughout the year, with the average daytime temperature of 25 - 28 ℃ and minimum night temperatures of 16 - 17 ℃.

The optimal humidity must be in the range of 80 - 85% throughout the year, taking into account that a lower level affects the development of the plant and inhibits growth, causing the underdevelopment of the pseudobulbs.

As a substrate, you can opt for mounting on bark or cork boards, if you take into account the provision of an optimal level of humidity, but for convenience and efficiency it is recommended to plant in pots, in substrates with strong drainage - represented by large-grained bark or pieces of 1 - 2 cm diameter compacted coconut fiber. Changing the substrate, culture containers and division for this species can be done at any time, as long as new root growth is noticeable.

Irrigation must be both abundant and frequent, with a slight reduction in volume during the winter. It is recommended to avoid complete drying of the substrate.

Fertilization will be done weekly, at a concentration of 50% of the recommended dose on the bottle, using a balanced fertilizer.

The resting period will be ensured during the winter, when the amount of water administered will be reduced for days with reduced duration and low light intensity. Along with the reduction of irrigation, it will also be decided to stop the administration of the fertilizer.

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