Masdevallia

{{Short description|Genus of orchids}} {{Redirect|Masd||MASD (disambiguation)}} {{Automatic taxobox | image = Masdevallia caudata Orchi 01.jpg | image_caption = ''[[Masdevallia caudata]]'' | display_parents = 3 | taxon = Masdevallia | authority = [[Hipólito Ruiz López|Ruiz]] & [[Pav.]] | diversity = About 500 species | diversity_link = List of Masdevallia species | subdivision_ranks = Subgenera | subdivision = About one dozen, see [[#Subgenera|text]] | synonyms_ref = <ref name="WCSP"/> | synonyms = *''Acinopetala'' Luer *''Alaticaulia'' Luer *''Rodrigoa'' [[Lothar Alfred Braas|Braas]] *''Portillia'' Königer *''Jostia'' Luer *''Buccella'' Luer *''Byrsella'' Luer *''Fissia'' (Luer) Luer *''Luzama'' Luer *''Megema'' Luer *''Petalodon'' Luer *''Regalia'' Luer *''Reichantha'' Luer *''Spectaculum'' Luer *''Spilotantha'' Luer *''Streptoura'' Luer *''Triotosiphon'' Schltr. ex Luer *''Zahleria'' Luer }}

'''''Masdevallia''''', abbreviated '''Masd''' in [[horticultural]] trade, is a large [[genus]] of [[flowering plant]]s of the [[Pleurothallidinae]], a [[subtribe]] of the orchid [[Family (taxonomy)|family]] ([[Orchidaceae]]). There are over 500 [[species]], grouped into several [[subgenera]]. The genus is named for [[Jose Masdevall]] (?-1801), a physician and botanist in the court of [[Charles III of Spain]].

== Range and morphology == These plants are found from [[Mexico]] to southern [[Brazil]], but mostly in the higher regions (2,500-4,000 m [[Above mean sea level|ASL]]) of the [[Andes]] of [[Ecuador]] and [[Colombia]], [[Peru]] and [[Bolivia]].<ref name="WCSP">[http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/namedetail.do?name_id=121094 Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families]</ref> They may be [[epiphyte]]s, [[terrestrial plant|terrestrial]]s or growing as [[lithophyte]]s on damp rocks.

The plants are characterized by an abbreviated to elongate and creeping [[rhizome]] that gives rise to stems that lack pseudobulbs. The stem bears a single, fleshy, erect to pendent, ovate to lanceolate [[leaf]]. The flowers are triangular and occur singly or in racemose inflorescences. They are characterized by a showy calyx and reduced corolla. The [[sepal]]s are fused at the base and frequently caudate. The [[petal]]s flank the semiterete column and the tongue-shaped [[Labellum (botany)|lip]] is flexibly hinged to a free column foot.

== Cultivation == The species are sensitive to inappropriate cultural conditions and will show signs of stress by leaf spotting or dropping. They can generally be grown in pots with sphagnum or seedling grade wood chips although a few species produce descending inflorescences and are best accommodated in baskets.<ref>Illustrated Encyclopedia of Orchids {{ISBN|0-88192-267-6}}</ref> In both cases the rhizome should remain at the surface of the medium in order to prevent rot.

Most of these plants are from high altitude cloud forests and require very cool conditions and abundant moisture throughout the year. They cannot tolerate dryness, low humidity, or excessive temperatures and the plants are very easy to kill. They will simply drop all their leaves and suddenly collapse if allowed to dry completely or are exposed to high temperatures. Many members of this genus from very high altitude cloud forests defy cultivation. Most of the species from this genus are considered less difficult in cultivation than plants from the genus ''Dracula'', and some of them are very easy to cultivate and have a 'weedy' habit such as [[Veitch's masdevallia]], but the majority of these species are usually very difficult to maintain in cultivation unless the plants can be kept cool and moist all the time.

Low humidity conditions or watering the plants with a water source which contains high levels of dissolved salts will result in the leaves yellowing and rapidly dying from the tips back to the rhizome. The plants should be provided with rain water or distilled water or a very pure water source. The medium should always remain moist as the plants do not have any significant storage structures like most orchids.

== Selected species == {{Main|List of Masdevallia species}} * ''[[Masdevallia antonii]]'' * ''[[Masdevallia davisii]]'' – [[Davis' masdevallia]], orchid of the sun, ''qoriwaqanki'' ([[Quechua languages|Quechua]]) * ''[[Masdevallia pinocchio]]'' * ''[[Masdevallia unguentum]]'' * ''[[Masdevallia veitchiana]]'' – [[Veitch's masdevallia]], king of the masdevallias, ''gallo-gallo'' ([[Spanish (language)|Spanish]]), ''waqanki'' (Quechua)

== Taxonomy == ''Masdevallia'' was found to be polyphyletic <ref>Pridgeon et al. (2001)</ref> and the taxonomy of the group is unresolved but the currently accepted taxonomy proceeds as follows:<ref>The Plant List(2010)</ref>

=== Subgenera === [[Image:Masdevallia veitichiana (1).jpg|thumb|right|[[Veitch's masdevallia]], ''Masdevallia (Masdevallia) veitichiana'', is in section ''Masdevallia'', subsection ''Coccineae'']]

* '''Subgenus ''[[Amanda (orchid)|Amanda]]''''' (≡''[[Spilotantha]]'') ** Section ''Amandae'': 28+ species, e.g. ''M. amanda'', ''[[Masdevallia bulbophyllopsis|M. bulbophyllopsis]]'', ''M. melanopus'', ''M. polysticta''. Separated in ''Spilotantha''. ** Section ''Ophioglossae'': 1-2 species – ''[[Masdevallia ophioglossa|M. ophioglossa]]'', ''M. ophioglossa'' ssp. ''grossa'' * '''Subgenus ''[[Cucullatia]]''''': (≡''[[Megema]]'')4 species – ''[[Masdevallia cerastes|M. cerastes]]'', ''[[Masdevallia corniculata|M. corniculata]]'', ''[[Masdevallia cucullata|M. cucullata]]'', ''[[Masdevallia macrura|M. macrura]]'' * '''Subgenus ''[[Fissia]]''''': (≡''[[Fissia]]'') 3 species – ''[[Masdevallia mutica|M. mutica]]'', ''[[Masdevallia picturata|M. picturata]]'', ''[[Masdevallia pleurothalloides|M. pleurothalloides]]'' * '''Subgenus ''[[Masdevallia (subgenus)|Masdevallia]]''''' ** Section ''Amaluzae'': (≡''[[Luzama]]'') 6 species, e.g. ''[[Masdevallia amaluzae|M. amaluzae]]'', ''[[Masdevallia carmenensis|M. carmenensis]]'', ''[[Masdevallia patula|M. patula]]'' ** Section ''Aphanes'': (≡''[[Pteroon]]'') 3 species – ''[[Masdevallia aphanes|M. aphanes]]'', ''[[Masdevallia capillaris|M. capillaris]]'', ''[[Masdevallia scopaea|M. scopaea]]'' ** Section ''Coriaceae'' : *** Subsection ''Coriaceae'': (≡''[[Byrsella]]'') ~35 species, e.g. ''[[Masdevallia angulata|M. angulata]]'', ''[[Masdevallia caesia|M. caesia]]'', ''[[Masdevallia civilis|M. civilis]]'', ''[[Masdevallia elephanticeps|M. elephanticeps]]'', ''[[Masdevallia foetens|M. foetens]]'', ''[[Masdevallia fractiflexa|M. fractiflexa]]'' *** Subsection ''Durae'': (≡''[[Regalia]]'') 4 species – ''[[Masdevallia ayabacana|M. ayabacana]]'', ''[[Masdevallia dura|M. dura]]'', ''[[Masdevallia panguiensis|M. panguiensis]]'', ''[[Masdevallia utriculata|M. utriculata]]'' ** Section ''Ligiae'': Monotypic – ''[[Masdevallia ligiae|M. ligiae]]'' ** Section ''Masdevallia'': *** Subsection ''Caudatae'': ~28 species, e.g. ''[[Masdevallia bottae|M. bottae]]'', ''[[Masdevallia caudata|M. caudata]]'', ''[[Masdevallia decumana|M. decumana]]'', ''[[Masdevallia lychniphora|M. lychniphora]]'', ''[[Masdevallia triangularis|M. triangularis]]'', ''[[Masdevallia xanthina|M. xanthina]]'' *** Subsection ''Coccineae'': 12 species, e.g. ''[[Masdevallia amabilis|M. amabilis]]'', ''[[Masdevallia barlaeana|M. barlaeana]]'', ''[[Masdevallia coccinea|M. coccinea]]'', ''[[Masdevallia ignea|M. ignea]]'', ''[[Masdevallia veitchiana|M. veitchiana]]'' *** Subsection ''Masdevallia'': ~58 species, e.g. ''[[Masdevallia agaster|M. agaster]]'', ''[[Masdevallia calocodon|M. calocodon]]'', ''[[Masdevallia mejiana|M. mejiana]]'', ''[[Masdevallia pumila|M. pumila]]'', ''[[Masdevallia uniflora|M. uniflora]]'' *** Subsection ''Oscillantes'': ~11 species, e.g. ''[[Masdevallia andreettana|M. andreettana]]'', ''[[Masdevallia wageneriana|M. wageneriana]]'' (including ''M. pteroglossa'') *** Subsection ''Saltatrices'': 14 species, e.g. ''[[Masdevallia angulifera|M. angulifera]]'', ''[[Masdevallia constricta|M. constricta]]'', ''[[Masdevallia limax|M. limax]]'', ''[[Masdevallia saltatrix|M. saltatrix]]'', ''[[Masdevallia urosalpinx|M. urosalpinx]]'', ''[[Masdevallia ventricularia|M. ventricularia]]'' *** Subsection ''Tubulosae'': 7 species, e.g. ''[[Masdevallia bangii|M. bangii]]'', ''[[Masdevallia irapana|M. irapana]]'', ''[[Masdevallia tubulosa|M. tubulosa]]'' ** Section ''Mentosae'': Monotypic – ''[[Masdevallia mentosa|M. mentosa]]'' ** Section ''Minutae'': ~21 species, e.g. ''[[Masdevallia floribunda|M. floribunda]]'', ''[[Masdevallia herradurae|M. herradurae]]'', ''[[Masdevallia minuta|M. minuta]]'', ''[[Masdevallia nicaraguae|M. nicaraguae]]'', ''[[Masdevallia wendlandiana|M. wendlandiana]]'' ** Section ''Racemosae'': (≡''[[Spectaculum]]'') Monotypic – ''[[Masdevallia racemosa|M. racemosa]]'' ** Section ''Reichenbachianae'': *** Subsection ''Dentatae'' : (≡''[[Petalodon]]'') 2 species – ''[[Masdevallia collina|M. collina]]'', ''[[Masdevallia macrogenia|M. macrogenia]]'' *** Subsection ''Reichenbachianae'': (≡''[[Reichantha]]'') ~11 species, e.g. ''[[Masdevallia rolfeana|M. rolfeana]]'', ''[[Masdevallia schroderiana|M. schroderiana]]'', ''[[Masdevallia striatella|M. striatella]]'' * '''Subgenus ''[[Meleagris (orchid)|Meleagris]]''''': (≡''[[Rodrigoa]]'') 7 species, e.g. ''[[Masdevallia anisomorpha|M. anisomorpha]]'', ''[[Masdevallia heteroptera|M. heteroptera]]'', ''[[Masdevallia meleagris|M. meleagris]]'' * '''Subgenus ''[[Nidifica]]''''': (≡''[[Buccella (plant)|Buccella]]'') 4-5 species: e.g. ''[[Masdevallia dynastes|M. dynastes]]'', ''[[Masdevallia nidifica|M. nidifica]]'' (including ''M. ventricosa'') * '''Subgenus ''[[Polyantha (orchid)|Polyantha]]''''' (≡''[[Alaticaulia]]'') ** Section ''Alaticaules'': 97 species, e.g. ''[[Masdevallia bicolor|M. bicolor]]'', ''[[Masdevallia infracta|M. infracta]]'', ''[[Masdevallia scobina|M. scobina]]'', ''[[Masdevallia stenorrhynchos|M. stenorrhynchos]]'', ''[[Masdevallia tovarensis|M. tovarensis]]'', ''[[Masdevallia vargasii|M. vargasii]]'', ''[[Masdevallia weberbaueri|M. weberbaueri]]'' ** Section ''Polyanthae'': 7 species, e.g. ''[[Masdevallia discoidea|M. discoidea]]'', ''[[Masdevallia lata|M. lata]]'', ''[[Masdevallia polyantha|M. polyantha]]'', ''[[Masdevallia schlimii|M. schlimii]]'' * '''Subgenus ''[[Scabripes]]''''' (≡''[[Portilla]]'') * '''Subgenus ''[[Volvula]]''''' (≡''[[Streptoura]]'')

<gallery> Image:Masdevallia civilis.jpg|''Masdevallia (Masdevallia)'' sect. ''Coriaceae'' subsect. ''Coriaceae'': ''[[Masdevallia civilis]]'' Image:Masdevallia triangularis.jpg|''Masdevallia (Masdevallia)'' sect. ''Masdevallia'' subsect. ''Caudatae'': ''[[Masdevallia triangularis]]'' Image:Masdevallia pteroglossa.jpg|''Masdevallia (Masdevallia)'' sect. ''Masdevallia'' subsect. ''Oscillantes'': ''[[Masdevallia wageneriana]]'' var. ''pteroglossa'' Image:Masdevallia angulifera Orchi 01.jpg|''Masdevallia (Masdevallia)'' sect. ''Masdevallia'' subsect. ''Saltatrices'': ''[[Masdevallia angulifera]]'' Image:Masdevallia floribunda Orchi 03.jpg|''Masdevallia (Masdevallia)'' sect. ''Minutae'': ''[[Masdevallia floribunda]]'' Image:Acinopetala wendlandiana.jpg|''Masdevallia (Masdevallia)'' sect. ''Minutae'': ''[[Masdevallia wendlandiana]]'' Image:Masdevalliaventricosa1.jpg|''Masdevallia (Nidifica)'': ''[[Masdevallia nidifica]]'' Image:Masdevallia bicolor.jpg|''Masdevallia (Polyantha)'' sect. ''Alaticaules'': ''[[Masdevallia bicolor]]'' </gallery>

== Footnotes == * {{aut|Gerritsen, Mary E. & Parsons, Ron}} (2005): ''Masdevallias, Gems of the Orchid World''. Timber Press. * {{aut|Luer, Carlyle A.}}: ''Icones Pleurothallidinarum, Systematics of ''Masdevallia (multiple volumes). Missouri Botanical Garden Press. (1984–2003) * {{aut|Pridgeon, A.M., Solano, R., & Chase, M.W.}} (2001): Phylogenetic relationships in Pleurothallidinae (Orchidaceae): combined evidence from nuclear and plastid DNA sequences. ''American Journal of Botany'' 88: 2286–2308.

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == * {{Commons-inline|italic=1}} * {{Wikispecies-inline|Masdevallia|''Masdevallia''}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20041022190035/http://www.peripatus.gen.nz/Gallery/Mas.html Image gallery] * [http://www.flowershots.net/Masdevallia_gallery.html Ron Parsons Flowershots Masdevallia Species] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20130209182522/http://masdevallia.tk/catalog/ Masdevallia species and hybrids catalog with images ]

[[Category:Masdevallia| ]] [[Category:Epiphytic orchids]] [[Category:Pleurothallidinae genera]] [[Category:Taxa named by José Antonio Pavón Jiménez]] [[Category:Taxa named by Hipólito Ruiz López]]