Masdevallia saltatrix Rchb. f. 1877 SUBGENUS Masdevallia SECTION Masdevallia SUBSECTION Saltatrices [Rchb.f] Luer 1986

Another Angle Photo by © Milan Vágner

Common Name The Dancer Masdevallia [refers to the graceful flower]

Flower Size 1 1/2" [4 cm]

Found as a miniature, warm to cool growing epiphyte in Colombia at elevations around 1800 to 2000 meters with erect, slender ramicauls enveloped basally by 2 to 3, loose, tubular sheaths carrying a single, apical, erect, coriaceous, elliptical, obtuse leaf that is cuneate below into the slender petiole and can flower throughout the year on a a slender, erect to suberect, 1 to 2 2/5" [2.5 to 6 cm]long, single flowered inflorescence arising from low on the ramicaul with a bract near the base and a tubular floral bract holding the suberect, tubular flower just below or at leaf height.

References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ; Systematics of Masdevallia Vol 2 Luer 1986; Native Colombian Orchids Vol 6 COS 1998; Icones Pleurothallidinarum XXIII Systematics of Masdevallia Part 4 Luer 2002; Icones Pleurothallidinarum XXV Systematics of Masdevallia Part Five 2005

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