Dendrobium lituiflorum Lindl.- A Validation Report from Khasi Hills of Meghalaya

An unidentified flowering species belonging to genus Dendrobium, morphologically allied to Dendrobium nobile Lindl., was collected near lower Khasi hills of Meghalaya in 2007 and was characterized and discussed. Critical comparison was made with its allied group in the same geographical area of North East Hill (NEH) of India to distinguish from the others. Deciduous nature of pseudo-stems during flowering, dominant shining purple colour of sepals and petals, short peduncle traits and finally purple column colour as phenological markers, served as taxonomic identifi cation traits for confi rmation of this species as Dendrobium lituifl orum Lindl., from D. nobile Lindl., (also known as noble orchid).