Masdevallia - Page 1

The genus Masdevallia is comprised of over 350 species. The native habitat ranges from Mexico through the Andean regions of northern South America. Most are epiphytic and grow under very cool conditions. Some species defy growing even in refrigerated greenhouses. Most of mine spend the summer and a good portion of spring and fall outdoors.

	M. angulata. This coarse leathery plant is a native of Ecuadorian and Colombian mountain regions. The flowers bloom singly on stems arising from the base of the plant.		M. caloptera 'Best'. Found in tropical rain forests of Ecuador at elevations of 1800-2600 meters.
	M. coccinea. This diminutive orchid of beautiful simplicity is found growing amidst the rocks in the upper levels of the Andes in Colombia and Peru.		M. coccinea 'M. Wayne Miller' (AM-AOS) .A yellow variation of the normally crimson coccinea. Grows as a terrestrial in the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia.
	M. coccinea alba. A white form of the cool growing coccinea native to upper regions of the Andes.		M. Falcata, an hybrid of M. veitchiana and M. coccinea (both parents are native to the higher altitudes of the Andes).
	M. floribunda. Native to the low elevation damp forest floors of Central America, this plant produces small delicate flowers individually on short stems near the plant base.		M. Goldbug, a cross between M. davisii from the Peruvian Andes and M. sanctae-inasae from the Andean regions of Ecuador. Both parent plants found at higher elevations.
	M. guttulata. An Andean orchid from Ecuador.		M. herradurae.The so-called Horsheshoe Masdevallia is found growing on mossy trees up to 2100 mtrs elevation in Colombia. It's waxy red flowers cluster profusely around the base of the plant.
	M. hirtzii. A small but attractive Masdevallia from the Andean regions of Ecuador.		M. infracta (Southern Brazil). Inset on lower right shows a close up of a single bloom.