Masdevallia synthesis Luer 1993 SUBGENUS Polyantha SECTION Alaticaules SUBSECTION Alaticaules [Krzl.] Luer 1986
Photo by © Klaus Eisses
TYPE Drawing by © Carl Luer
Common Name The Compounding Masdevallia [refers to its possible hybrid origins]
Flower Size 1" [2.5 cm]
Found in Aragua state of Venezuela at elevations around 1500 meters as a miniature sized, cool growing epiphyte with stout, erect ramcauls enveloped by 2 to 3 tubular sheaths and carrying a single, apical, erect, coriaceous, elliptical-obovate, subacute to obtuse, gradually narrowing below into the petiolate base leaf that blooms in the fall on a slender, arising from low on the ramicaul with a bract at the base, erect, triquetrous, 6.4 to 7.6" [16 to 19 cm] long, successively single, few flowered inflorescence with whitish, imbricating, tubular, half as long as the pedicel floral bracts.
Could possibly be a natural hybrid between M maculata and M tovarensis
Synonyms Alaticaulia synthesis (Luer) Luer 2006
References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ; Icones Pleurothallidinarum Vol XIX Masdevallia Part 1 Luer 2000 drawing fide; A Treasure of Masdevallia Vol 25 Luer & Dalstroem 2000 watercolor/drawing okish; Masdevallia's in Kleur Vol 1 P M Oversteegen, Eisses & A P Sijm 2001 photo fide; Icones Pleurothallidinarum Vol XXVIII Luer 2006 as Alaticaulia synthesis; Orchids Masdevallia with its segregates including Dracula Zelenko 2014 photo fide;
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