Masdevallia Species Photo Gallery Two

   The Masdevallia genus was coined by H. Ruíz and J. Pavón in 1794, dedicated to Dr. José Masdeval, contemporary physician and botanist.

   The Masdevallia genus belongs in Subfamily Epidendroideae Tribe Epidendreae Subtribe Pleurothallidinae. This is the largest hodgepodge in the whole orchid family, containing over 3,600 orchid names.

   By time the Masdevallia genus itself became unmanageably large and recent scientific revisions are aimed at splitting it up, resulting in new generic names like Dracula, Dryadella, Andreetta, Triasterella and so on.

    Members of the Masdevallia genus include terrestrial as well as epiphytic species living in environments from warm lowlands upwards to cool, tropical alpine habitats existing above the timber line. The tropical alpine cloud- and mist forest species are definitely not for the beginner - literally falling apart under too warm or too bright, dry conditions. So, cut your teeth on species and hybrids either naturally warm-tolerant or clones selected especially for hobbyist orchid enthusiasts.

   It is important to keep in mind that these orchids have no resting periods, which means that they should never be allowed to dry out, even for short periods.

   There are species growing in nature on the underside of fairly horizontal branches and send their flowers straight downwards - these types should not be cultivated potted, of course.

Masdevallia ignea Reichenbach f. (1871.)

Masdevallia ignea comes from Venezuela. The specific name "ignea" means "flame-colored" in Latin. Just as flames, the flower color is variable even during flower development. Like many other members of the genus it requires cool, shaded, constantly moist environment.

Masdevallia tovarensis Reichenbach f. (1849.)

M. tovarensis was discovered by Wagener in 1849 near Tovar in Venezuela and sent to Germany, to Sigmund Rücker. For decades it was relatively rare in cultivation, until Messrs. Low & Co. imported large amounts to Britain in 1880. The white flowers open in late autumn and the flowering period last til Christmas. Do not remove the triangular peduncles from the tips of the scapes, because if left on the plant even more flowers will emerge from them during the next flowering season.

Masdevallia caudata Lindley (1833.)

M. caudata was probably the first representative of the genus arriving in Europe in 1831 or even somewhat earlier as herbarium material. At any rate, together with M. uniflora Ruíz et Pavón (1798.) and M. infracta Lindley (1833.) was one of the three species known to and described for science by John Lindley in 1833. Then this nice orchid became "lost" for more than forty years, to be re-discovered by Suttleworth in 1874. M. caudata is epiphytic in montane forests of Colombia and Venezuela, between 6,500-8,000 feet (1,950-2,400 m) elevation.

Masdevallia triangularis Lindley (1846.)

It was discovered by J. Linden in 1842-43 in Venezuela. Mist forest species occuring between 4,700-7,700 feet (1,400 - 2,300 m) altitude.

Masdevallia veitchiana Reichenbach f. (1868.)

Occurs above the timber line, at 11,000 - 13,000 feet (3,300 -3,900 m) elevation in the Peruvian Andes. In its natural habitats the diurnal temperature changes range from hot, sunny days to chilly, cold, misty nigts. Light regimes of the micro-habitats influence vegetative growth characteristics; plants growing at sunny spots are stouter and more floriferous. Flower color is variable from white through yellow and orange to deep purple.


Masdevallia Suttleworthii Rchb f. and M. caudata xanthocorys Rchb. f. are two forms of Masdevallia caudata Lindley (1833.) : Reicenbachia Volume I, Series I. (1866.)