Masdevallia sceptrum Rchb. f. 1854 subgen. Polyantha sect. Alaticaules subsect. Alaticaules {Krzl.] Luer 1986 Photo courtesy ofGreg and Kerri Steenbeeke and their Orkology Kreations Website

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Common Name The Sceptre-Like Masdevallia [Refers to the elegant inflorescence]

Flower Size 1 1/8" [3 cm]

Found in Venezuela and Colombia on tall trees often in full sun as a miniature to small sized, caespitose epiphyte at elevations of 2400 to 3900 meters with stout, erect ramicauls enveloped by 2 to 3 loose, tubular sheaths carrying an erect, single, apical, thickly coriaceous, elliptical-obovate, subacute to obtuse leaf that is narrowly cuneate into the basal petiole blooming in the summer on a stout, erect, 6 to 12" [15 to 30 cm] long, loose to congested, simultaneously few to several [4 to 5] flowered, triquetrous, racemose inflorescence arising from the base of the ramicaul with a basal bract and a thin tubular floral bract that holds the flowers at or above the leaf height. This species is found in conjunction with M buccinator and can be confused with M schlimii which has a terete inflorescence, basal processes on the petals, a longer hypochile and no prominent keel on the lip.

Synonyms Masdevallia rechingeriana Kraenzl. 1921; Masdevallia schlimii var. sceptrum [Rchb.f]Woolw. 1896; Masdevallia urostachya Rchb.f 1882

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