Masdevallia velella Luer 2002 SUBGENUS Masdevallia SECTION Coriaceae SUBSECTION Coriaceae Rchb.f 1874
Front view showing apex of lip
Photo by © V N M Rao and Swiss Orchid Foundation at the Jany Renz Herbaria
TYPE Drawing by Carl Luer
LATER
EARLY
Common Name or Meaning The Small Curtain Masdevallia [refers to this species having a smaller synsepal [curtain] than M velifera]
Flower Size 1" [2.5 cm]
Found in Antioquia department of Colombia on the Carribean coast in rain forests near sea level as a miniature sized, hot growing epiphyte with stout, erect ramicauls enveloped basally by 2 to 3, loose, tubular sheaths and carrying a single, apical, erect, thickly coriaceous, narrowly elliptical-oblong, subacute to obtuse, gradually narrowing below into the narrowly cuneate petiolate base leaf that blooms in the late winter and early spring on an erect, stout, single flowered, 1.2" to 1.6" [3 to 4 cm] long inflorescence arising from low on the ramicaul with a bract near the base and a tubular floral bract.
Synonyms Byrsella velella (Luer) Luer 2006
References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ; *Icones Pleurothallidinarum XXIII Systematics of Masdevallia Part 4 Luer 2002 drawing fide; Icones Pleurothallidinarum Vol XXVIII Luer 2006 as Byrsella velella; Libro Rojo de Plantas De Colombia Vol 6 Primera Parte Saenz 2007; Orchids Masdevallia with its segregates including Dracula Zelenko 2014 photo fide;
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