Dendrobium lichenastrum

Dendrobium lichenastrum is an epiphytic or lithophytic herb with creeping, branching rhizomes that are 1 mm (0.04 in) in diameter, covered with papery bracts and form a spreading mat over the substrate. The leaves are egg-shaped to almost round, 4–10 mm (0.2–0.4 in) wide and lie flat on the surface. A single white, cream-coloured or pink flower with red stripes on a thin pedicel up to 15 mm (0.6 in) long appears from a leaf base. The flower is resupinate, 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) long and 4–7 mm (0.16–0.28 in) wide and has a prominent orange labellum. The dorsal sepal is egg-shaped, erect, 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) long and about 2.5 mm (0.1 in) wide. The lateral sepals are triangular, 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) long and about 4 mm (0.2 in) wide and spread widely apart from each other. The petals are linear in shape, a similar length to the sepals but much narrower. The labellum is oblong, about 7 mm (0.3 in) long and 2 mm (0.08 in) wide and fleshy with thickened edges. Flowering occurs sporadically throughout the year.[2][3]

The common button orchid was first formally described in 1901 by Ferdinand von Mueller who gave it the name Bulbophyllum lichenastrum and published the description in Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae from a specimen collected by John Dallachy near Rockingham Bay.[4][5] In 1905 Robert Allen Rolfe changed the name to Dendrobium lichenastrum.[6] The specific epithet (lichenastrum) is derived from the Ancient Greek words leichen meaning "a lichen"[7]^: 475 and astron meaning "a star".[7]^: 478

Dendrobium lichenastrum grows on rocks, cliffs and trees in rainforest between Mount Finnigan and Mackay.[2][3]