Masdevallia

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Masdevallia is a large genus of impressive plants of the Pleurothallidinae, subtribe of the orchid family (Orchidaceae).

There are over 500 rather different species, grouped into several subgenera. The genus is named for Jose Masdeval, a physician and botanist in the court of Charles III of Spain.

These plants are found from Mexico to southern Brazil, but mostly in the higher regions (2,500 - 4,000 m)of the Andes of Ecuador and Colombia, Peru and Bolivia. They may be epiphytes, terrestrials or growing as lithophytes on damp rocks.

All these orchids look alike and ordinary when they are not in the flowering season. But then the surprise is the greater when their wonderful flowers open up. The plant grows from a short, creeping rhizome from which appear minute pseudobulbs. Each carries one fleshy, smooth leaf held in tufts. These green leaves are ovate or lanceolate.

The triangular flowers grow on short pedicels and are about 6 cm wide. On each pedicel there is ordinarily just one flower (as in the most beautiful Masdevallia veitchiana) but sometimes there may be several (as in Masdevallia polysticta). The petals and the tongue-shaped or shell-shaped lip are small and are partly hidden inside the flower. The three large sepals are fused along their edges and commonly have long tails. The sepals have all the colour and markings (often very brightly colored, large and showy). They bloom usually during summer.

Masdevallia hybrids and cultivars are very popular with florists and orchid nurseries.

Below are a few examples of this spectacular genus:

• M. agaster
• M. brachyura
• M. coccinea
• M. floribunda

Masdevallia agaster

Masdevallia bicolor

Masdevallia bulbophyllopsis

File:Masdevallia-civilis.jpg

Masdevallia civilis

Masdevallia fractiflexa

Masdevallia ignea

Masdevallia mejiana

Masdevallia pteroglossa

Masdevallia rolfeana

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