Masdevallia brachyura F. Lehm. & Kraenzl. 1899 SUBGENUS Polyantha SECTION Alaticaules SUBSECTION Alaticaules [Krzl.] Luer 1986
Plant and Flower Photo by © Milan Vágner
Side View of Flower Photos by © Jay Pfahl
Drawing by Carl Luer
Common Name The Short-Petaled Masdevallia
Flower Size 2/5" [1 cm]
Found in Morona-Santiago and Zamora-Chinchipe provinces of Ecuador low on trees in damp humid cloud forests at altitudes of 1400 to 1800 meters as a mini-miniature sized, cool growing epiphyte with a short ramicaul enveloped basally by 2 to 3 loose imbricating sheaths carrying a single, apical, erect, coriaceous, oblanceolate leaf that blooms in the summer on an erect, arising from low on the ramicaul with a basal bract, 2" [5 cm] long, single flowered inforescence with imbricate, as long as the pedicel floral bracts carrying small flowers which open in succession and are held below the leaves.
"Related to the widely distributed M bicolor but distinguished by the smaller habit, the shorter, slender peduncle, smaller flowers with short sepaline tails and petals without a round callus at the base." Luer 2000
SynonymsAlaticaulia brachyura (F.Lehm. & Kraenzl.) Luer 2006
References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ; Venezuelan Orchids Vol 5 Dunsterville & Garay 1966 as Synonym of M bicolor; Systematics of Masdevallia Vol 2 Luer 1986; Icones Pleurothallidinarum XIX Systematics of Masdevallia Part 1 Luer 2000 drawing fide; Madevallia's in Kleur Vol 1 P M Oversteegen, Eisses & A P Sijm 2001 photo fide; Native Ecuadorian Orchids Vol 3 Dodson 2002 drawing fide; Icones Pleurothallidinarum XXVIII Luer 2006 as Alaticaulia brachyura; Orchidaceae Masdevallia and Affiliates Dodson & Luer 2009 as Alaticaulia brachyura drawing fide; Mille et Une Mini Orchideees Roguenant 2009 photo fide; Masdevallia in Detail Vol 5 Sijm etal 2010 photo/drawing fide; Orchids Masdevallia with its segregates including Dracula Zelenko 2014 photo fide;
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