Name: Dendrobium smillieae var. alba hort.
Etymology: smillieae = named in honor of Mrs. E. J. Smillie, a 19th-century Australian orchid enthusiast; alba = white — refers to the pure white flower form of this variety.

First description: The nominate form Dendrobium smillieae was described in 1867 by Ferdinand von Mueller. The alba form is a horticultural color selection (cultivar/variety) without a separate botanical first description status.
Origin / Distribution: Australia (Queensland) and New Guinea.
Location / Habitat: Growing epiphytically or lithophytically in open, bright forests, savannas, and at forest edges from sea level to approx. 600 meters. It often grows in exposed locations on thick branches or rocks under warm, tropical conditions with pronounced wet and dry seasons.
Description & Notes: Dendrobium smillieae var. alba is a medium to large, robust orchid with upright, strong, spindle-shaped pseudobulbs, which are densely covered in the upper area with lanceolate, leathery leaves. The densely packed, brush-shaped inflorescence usually appears on the older, leafless shoots. While the typical form has pink-white flowers with a green lip tip, var. alba shows pure white to creamy white sepals and petals, often combined with a delicate, emerald green or yellowish accent in the center of the lip. The tubular flowers produce abundant nectar.

In cultivation, this tropical species requires a lot of light (bright to full sun, provided it acclimates) and warm temperatures. During active growth in summer, abundant watering and regular fertilization are required. After the shoots have matured in winter, the plant often sheds its leaves; during this phase, a strict, cooler, and drier dormant period must be observed to induce the spectacular flower buds in spring.