Masdevallia cheloglossa Luer & Dalström 2006 SUBGENUS Polyantha SECTION Alaticaules SUBSECTION Alaticaules [Krzl.] Luer 1986
Photos by © S Manning and The Swiss Orchid Foundation at the Jany Renz Herbaria Website
TYPE Drawing by © Carl Luer and Stig Dalstrom
LATE 
EARLY
Common Name The Clawed Tongue Masdevallia [refers to the claw at the apex of the lip]
Flower Size 1.2" [3 cm] wide
Found in Peru without locational data as a small sized, caespitose, presumably epiphytic orchid with stout, erect ramicauls enveloped by a tubular sheath and 2 to 3 others at the base and carrying a single, apical, erect, coriaceous, elliptical, subacute, cuneate below into the petiolate base leaf that blooms in the late summer and early fall on an erect, peduncle triquetrous, to 8" [20 cm] long, provided with a basal bract, arising from low on the ramicaul, successively few, single flowered inflorescence with a tubular, shorter than the ovary floral bract.
"Superficially this species appears very similar to the Colombian Masdevallia tsubotae Luer. The only apparent differences are the petals and lip. Instead of merely oblong, the petals of M. cheloglossa are wide at the base with obtuse, marginal angles, and the epichile of the lip of M. cheloglossa is tubular with revolute sides, and with a prominent hook-like process at the tip." Luer and Dalstroem 2006
Synonyms Alaticaulia cheloglossa (Luer & Dalström) Luer 2007
References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ; * Selbyana 27(1): 15-24. Six New Masdevallia Species [Orchidaceae] From Peru Luer & Dalstrom 2006 drawing fide; Icones Pleurothallidianrum Vol XXIX A Third Century of Stelis of Ecuador Systematics of Apoda-Prorepentia Luer 2007 as Alatacaulia cheloglossa; Orchids Masdevallia with its segregates including Dracula Zelenko 2014 photo fide;
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