It is widespread across Southeast Asia from Sri Lanka to New Guinea, including Indochina, Indonesia, the Philippines, etc.

[3] The species was first described by the English botanist John Lindley from specimens collected in the Philippines.

Six years later in 1845, he acquired unscented specimens which he named Dendrobium anosmum in reference to their perceived lack of smell.

The newer name is used because the older name given by Lindley is invalid given that it is a homonym of the pastor's orchid (Dendrobium macrophyllum), which was described earlier in 1834 by the French botanist Achille Richard.

Another local Filipino name is latigo (horsewhip), referring to its long pendulous canes which became deciduous before flowering.