Epidendrum denticulatum, one of the crucifix orchids, is a reed stemmed species which, at least in herbarium specimens, is frequently confused with E. secundum Jacq.

This sympodial reed-stemmed Epidendrum displays a pseudomonopodial habit: an individual stem (to 4 mm in diameter) will grow continuously at the tip for some time, before producing a bloom spike.

Less than ideal lighting will encourage the formation of numerous keikis producing a tangled mass of shoots and roots high up the plant.

The inflorescence is a terminal raceme, filling a globular space that can measure more than 30 cm and can include up to a hundred flowers, with some ten to thirty open simultaneously.

To assist in distinguishing herbarium specimens, Pinheiro and Barros (2007) undertook a statistical examination of flowers growing under cultivation in São Paulo, Brazil.

E. denticulatum was described by John Barbosa Rodrigues in 1881 from a plant with lavender flowers and white and yellow calli found blooming in the month of March on a tree in the forest near Joinville, Santa Catarina.