Dendrobium utile

Dendrobium utile is a species of orchid native to Sulawesi and Papua, occurring in forests at altitudes of up to 150 m.^[1] It is the official flower of Sulawesi Tenggara.^[2] Locally in Sulawesi this orchid is also called anomi, anemi or alemi, toya in mee language,^[3] or anggrek serat (fiber orchid) in common Indonesian for its fiber-rich root.^[4]

Dendrobium utile
Dendrobium utile and a lowland anoa (Bubalus depressicornis) on a 2009 stamp of Indonesia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Orchidaceae
Subfamily:	Epidendroideae
Genus:	Dendrobium
Species:	D. utile
Binomial name
Dendrobium utile J.J.Sm.
Synonyms
Diplocaulobium utile (J.J.Sm.) Kraenzl.

Description

Dendrobium utile is an epiphyte.^[1] It is distinguished from similar orchids by the root shaped like a bird nest with green-yellowish colors. The flowers grow in the leaf axils. The petals are yellow, with a narrow shape. The plants make attractive decorations, but are short-lived. The roots are used to make expensive handcrafts because of its soft texture and shiny and golden color.