Zootrophion argus ( Kraenzl.) Luer 2004 Photo by © Ecuagenera

Another Flower [4 cm] long

Plant and Flower [4 cm] long Photos by Egon Krogsgaard

Common Name The Thousand Eyed Zootrophion [refers to the spotted flower and Argus, a greek mythological monster with thousand eyes]

Flower Size 1" [2.5 cm]

Found in Colombia and Ecuador at elevations around 1650 to 2500 meters as a miniature sized, cool to cold growing epiphyte with stout, erect ramicauls enveloped by 5 to 6, dark brown, inflated, loose, tubular sheaths and carrying a single, apcial, erect, coricaeous, elliptical, obtuse, cuneate below into the petiolate base leaf that blooms in the spring on a horizontal, .4 to .6" [1 to 1.5 cm] long, successively single, few flowered inflorescence arising through an annulus at the apex of the ramicaul, and has an oblique, inflated, acute floral bract.

Synonyms *Cryptophoranthus argus Kraenzl.1921; Masdevallia argus Rchb.f. ex Kraenzl.1921

References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ; Native Ecuadorian Orchids Vol 5 Dodson 2004 photo fide; *Icones Pleurothallidinarum Vol XXVI Luer 2004 drawing fide; AOS Bulletin Vol 88 #9 2019 photo fide;

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