# Masdevallia

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Genus of orchids

"Masd" redirects here. For other uses, see [MASD (disambiguation)](/source/MASD_(disambiguation)).

Masdevallia Masdevallia caudata Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae Clade: Embryophytes Clade: Tracheophytes Clade: Spermatophytes Clade: Angiosperms Clade: Monocots Order: Asparagales Family: Orchidaceae Subfamily: Epidendroideae Tribe: Epidendreae Subtribe: Pleurothallidinae Genus: Masdevallia Ruiz & Pav. Subgenera About one dozen, see text Diversity About 500 species Synonyms[1] Acinopetala Luer Alaticaulia Luer Rodrigoa 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](/source/Horticultural) trade, is a large [genus](/source/Genus) of [flowering plants](/source/Flowering_plant) of the [Pleurothallidinae](/source/Pleurothallidinae), a [subtribe](/source/Subtribe) of the orchid [family](/source/Family_(taxonomy)) ([Orchidaceae](/source/Orchidaceae)). There are over 500 [species](/source/Species), grouped into several [subgenera](/source/Subgenera). The genus is named for [Jose Masdevall](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jose_Masdevall&action=edit&redlink=1) (?-1801), a physician and botanist in the court of [Charles III of Spain](/source/Charles_III_of_Spain).

## Range and morphology

These plants are found from [Mexico](/source/Mexico) to southern [Brazil](/source/Brazil), but mostly in the higher regions (2,500-4,000 m [ASL](/source/Above_mean_sea_level)) of the [Andes](/source/Andes) of [Ecuador](/source/Ecuador) and [Colombia](/source/Colombia), [Peru](/source/Peru) and [Bolivia](/source/Bolivia).[1] They may be [epiphytes](/source/Epiphyte), [terrestrials](/source/Terrestrial_plant) or growing as [lithophytes](/source/Lithophyte) on damp rocks.

The plants are characterized by an abbreviated to elongate and creeping [rhizome](/source/Rhizome) that gives rise to stems that lack pseudobulbs. The stem bears a single, fleshy, erect to pendent, ovate to lanceolate [leaf](/source/Leaf). The flowers are triangular and occur singly or in racemose inflorescences. They are characterized by a showy calyx and reduced corolla. The [sepals](/source/Sepal) are fused at the base and frequently caudate. The [petals](/source/Petal) flank the semiterete column and the tongue-shaped [lip](/source/Labellum_(botany)) 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.[2] 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](/source/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 article: [List of Masdevallia species](/source/List_of_Masdevallia_species)

- *[Masdevallia antonii](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_antonii&action=edit&redlink=1)*

- *[Masdevallia davisii](/source/Masdevallia_davisii)* – [Davis' masdevallia](/source/Davis'_masdevallia), orchid of the sun, *qoriwaqanki* ([Quechua](/source/Quechua_languages))

- *[Masdevallia pinocchio](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_pinocchio&action=edit&redlink=1)*

- *[Masdevallia unguentum](/source/Masdevallia_unguentum)*

- *[Masdevallia veitchiana](/source/Masdevallia_veitchiana)* – [Veitch's masdevallia](/source/Veitch's_masdevallia), king of the masdevallias, *gallo-gallo* ([Spanish](/source/Spanish_(language))), *waqanki* (Quechua)

## Taxonomy

*Masdevallia* was found to be polyphyletic [3] and the taxonomy of the group is unresolved but the currently accepted taxonomy proceeds as follows:[4]

### Subgenera

[Veitch's masdevallia](/source/Veitch's_masdevallia), *Masdevallia (Masdevallia) veitichiana*, is in section *Masdevallia*, subsection *Coccineae*

- **Subgenus *[Amanda](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Amanda_(orchid)&action=edit&redlink=1)*** (≡*[Spilotantha](/source/Spilotantha)*) - Section *Amandae*: 28+ species, e.g. *M. amanda*, *[M. bulbophyllopsis](/source/Masdevallia_bulbophyllopsis)*, *M. melanopus*, *M. polysticta*. Separated in *Spilotantha*. - Section *Ophioglossae*: 1-2 species – *[M. ophioglossa](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_ophioglossa&action=edit&redlink=1)*, *M. ophioglossa* ssp. *grossa*

- **Subgenus *[Cucullatia](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cucullatia&action=edit&redlink=1)***: (≡*[Megema](/source/Megema)*)4 species – *[M. cerastes](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_cerastes&action=edit&redlink=1)*, *[M. corniculata](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_corniculata&action=edit&redlink=1)*, *[M. cucullata](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_cucullata&action=edit&redlink=1)*, *[M. macrura](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_macrura&action=edit&redlink=1)*

- **Subgenus *[Fissia](/source/Fissia)***: (≡*[Fissia](/source/Fissia)*) 3 species – *[M. mutica](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_mutica&action=edit&redlink=1)*, *[M. picturata](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_picturata&action=edit&redlink=1)*, *[M. pleurothalloides](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_pleurothalloides&action=edit&redlink=1)*

- **Subgenus *[Masdevallia](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_(subgenus)&action=edit&redlink=1)*** - Section *Amaluzae*: (≡*[Luzama](/source/Luzama)*) 6 species, e.g. *[M. amaluzae](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_amaluzae&action=edit&redlink=1)*, *[M. carmenensis](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_carmenensis&action=edit&redlink=1)*, *[M. patula](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_patula&action=edit&redlink=1)* - Section *Aphanes*: (≡*[Pteroon](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pteroon&action=edit&redlink=1)*) 3 species – *[M. aphanes](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_aphanes&action=edit&redlink=1)*, *[M. capillaris](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_capillaris&action=edit&redlink=1)*, *[M. scopaea](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_scopaea&action=edit&redlink=1)* - Section *Coriaceae* : - Subsection *Coriaceae*: (≡*[Byrsella](/source/Byrsella)*) ~35 species, e.g. *[M. angulata](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_angulata&action=edit&redlink=1)*, *[M. caesia](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_caesia&action=edit&redlink=1)*, *[M. civilis](/source/Masdevallia_civilis)*, *[M. elephanticeps](/source/Masdevallia_elephanticeps)*, *[M. foetens](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_foetens&action=edit&redlink=1)*, *[M. fractiflexa](/source/Masdevallia_fractiflexa)* - Subsection *Durae*: (≡*[Regalia](/source/Regalia)*) 4 species – *[M. ayabacana](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_ayabacana&action=edit&redlink=1)*, *[M. dura](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_dura&action=edit&redlink=1)*, *[M. panguiensis](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_panguiensis&action=edit&redlink=1)*, *[M. utriculata](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_utriculata&action=edit&redlink=1)* - Section *Ligiae*: Monotypic – *[M. ligiae](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_ligiae&action=edit&redlink=1)* - Section *Masdevallia*: - Subsection *Caudatae*: ~28 species, e.g. *[M. bottae](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_bottae&action=edit&redlink=1)*, *[M. caudata](/source/Masdevallia_caudata)*, *[M. decumana](/source/Masdevallia_decumana)*, *[M. lychniphora](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_lychniphora&action=edit&redlink=1)*, *[M. triangularis](/source/Masdevallia_triangularis)*, *[M. xanthina](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_xanthina&action=edit&redlink=1)* - Subsection *Coccineae*: 12 species, e.g. *[M. amabilis](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_amabilis&action=edit&redlink=1)*, *[M. barlaeana](/source/Masdevallia_barlaeana)*, *[M. coccinea](/source/Masdevallia_coccinea)*, *[M. ignea](/source/Masdevallia_ignea)*, *[M. veitchiana](/source/Masdevallia_veitchiana)* - Subsection *Masdevallia*: ~58 species, e.g. *[M. agaster](/source/Masdevallia_agaster)*, *[M. calocodon](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_calocodon&action=edit&redlink=1)*, *[M. mejiana](/source/Masdevallia_mejiana)*, *[M. pumila](/source/Masdevallia_pumila)*, *[M. uniflora](/source/Masdevallia_uniflora)* - Subsection *Oscillantes*: ~11 species, e.g. *[M. andreettana](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_andreettana&action=edit&redlink=1)*, *[M. wageneriana](/source/Masdevallia_wageneriana)* (including *M. pteroglossa*) - Subsection *Saltatrices*: 14 species, e.g. *[M. angulifera](/source/Masdevallia_angulifera)*, *[M. constricta](/source/Masdevallia_constricta)*, *[M. limax](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_limax&action=edit&redlink=1)*, *[M. saltatrix](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_saltatrix&action=edit&redlink=1)*, *[M. urosalpinx](/source/Masdevallia_urosalpinx)*, *[M. ventricularia](/source/Masdevallia_ventricularia)* - Subsection *Tubulosae*: 7 species, e.g. *[M. bangii](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_bangii&action=edit&redlink=1)*, *[M. irapana](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_irapana&action=edit&redlink=1)*, *[M. tubulosa](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_tubulosa&action=edit&redlink=1)* - Section *Mentosae*: Monotypic – *[M. mentosa](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_mentosa&action=edit&redlink=1)* - Section *Minutae*: ~21 species, e.g. *[M. floribunda](/source/Masdevallia_floribunda)*, *[M. herradurae](/source/Masdevallia_herradurae)*, *[M. minuta](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_minuta&action=edit&redlink=1)*, *[M. nicaraguae](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_nicaraguae&action=edit&redlink=1)*, *[M. wendlandiana](/source/Masdevallia_wendlandiana)* - Section *Racemosae*: (≡*[Spectaculum](/source/Spectaculum)*) Monotypic – *[M. racemosa](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_racemosa&action=edit&redlink=1)* - Section *Reichenbachianae*: - Subsection *Dentatae* : (≡*[Petalodon](/source/Petalodon)*) 2 species – *[M. collina](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_collina&action=edit&redlink=1)*, *[M. macrogenia](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_macrogenia&action=edit&redlink=1)* - Subsection *Reichenbachianae*: (≡*[Reichantha](/source/Reichantha)*) ~11 species, e.g. *[M. rolfeana](/source/Masdevallia_rolfeana)*, *[M. schroderiana](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_schroderiana&action=edit&redlink=1)*, *[M. striatella](/source/Masdevallia_striatella)*

- **Subgenus *[Meleagris](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Meleagris_(orchid)&action=edit&redlink=1)***: (≡*[Rodrigoa](/source/Rodrigoa)*) 7 species, e.g. *[M. anisomorpha](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_anisomorpha&action=edit&redlink=1)*, *[M. heteroptera](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_heteroptera&action=edit&redlink=1)*, *[M. meleagris](/source/Masdevallia_meleagris)*

- **Subgenus *[Nidifica](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nidifica&action=edit&redlink=1)***: (≡*[Buccella](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Buccella_(plant)&action=edit&redlink=1)*) 4-5 species: e.g. *[M. dynastes](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_dynastes&action=edit&redlink=1)*, *[M. nidifica](/source/Masdevallia_nidifica)* (including *M. ventricosa*)

- **Subgenus *[Polyantha](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Polyantha_(orchid)&action=edit&redlink=1)*** (≡*[Alaticaulia](/source/Alaticaulia)*) - Section *Alaticaules*: 97 species, e.g. *[M. bicolor](/source/Masdevallia_bicolor)*, *[M. infracta](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_infracta&action=edit&redlink=1)*, *[M. scobina](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_scobina&action=edit&redlink=1)*, *[M. stenorrhynchos](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_stenorrhynchos&action=edit&redlink=1)*, *[M. tovarensis](/source/Masdevallia_tovarensis)*, *[M. vargasii](/source/Masdevallia_vargasii)*, *[M. weberbaueri](/source/Masdevallia_weberbaueri)* - Section *Polyanthae*: 7 species, e.g. *[M. discoidea](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_discoidea&action=edit&redlink=1)*, *[M. lata](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_lata&action=edit&redlink=1)*, *[M. polyantha](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_polyantha&action=edit&redlink=1)*, *[M. schlimii](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Masdevallia_schlimii&action=edit&redlink=1)*

- **Subgenus *[Scabripes](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Scabripes&action=edit&redlink=1)*** (≡*[Portilla](/source/Portilla)*)

- **Subgenus *[Volvula](/source/Volvula)*** (≡*[Streptoura](/source/Streptoura)*)

		- *Masdevallia (Masdevallia)* sect. *Coriaceae* subsect. *Coriaceae*: *[Masdevallia civilis](/source/Masdevallia_civilis)*

		- *Masdevallia (Masdevallia)* sect. *Masdevallia* subsect. *Caudatae*: *[Masdevallia triangularis](/source/Masdevallia_triangularis)*

		- *Masdevallia (Masdevallia)* sect. *Masdevallia* subsect. *Oscillantes*: *[Masdevallia wageneriana](/source/Masdevallia_wageneriana)* var. *pteroglossa*

		- *Masdevallia (Masdevallia)* sect. *Masdevallia* subsect. *Saltatrices*: *[Masdevallia angulifera](/source/Masdevallia_angulifera)*

		- *Masdevallia (Masdevallia)* sect. *Minutae*: *[Masdevallia floribunda](/source/Masdevallia_floribunda)*

		- *Masdevallia (Masdevallia)* sect. *Minutae*: *[Masdevallia wendlandiana](/source/Masdevallia_wendlandiana)*

		- *Masdevallia (Nidifica)*: *[Masdevallia nidifica](/source/Masdevallia_nidifica)*

		- *Masdevallia (Polyantha)* sect. *Alaticaules*: *[Masdevallia bicolor](/source/Masdevallia_bicolor)*

## Footnotes

- Gerritsen, Mary E. & Parsons, Ron (2005): *Masdevallias, Gems of the Orchid World*. Timber Press.

- Luer, Carlyle A.: *Icones Pleurothallidinarum, Systematics of*Masdevallia (multiple volumes). Missouri Botanical Garden Press. (1984–2003)

- 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

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-WCSP_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-WCSP_1-1) [Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families](http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/namedetail.do?name_id=121094)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Illustrated Encyclopedia of Orchids [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-88192-267-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-88192-267-6)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Pridgeon et al. (2001)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** The Plant List(2010)

## External links

- Media related to [Masdevallia](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Masdevallia) at Wikimedia Commons

- Data related to [*Masdevallia*](https://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Masdevallia) at Wikispecies

- [Image gallery](https://web.archive.org/web/20041022190035/http://www.peripatus.gen.nz/Gallery/Mas.html)

- [Ron Parsons Flowershots Masdevallia Species](http://www.flowershots.net/Masdevallia_gallery.html)

- [Masdevallia species and hybrids catalog with images](https://web.archive.org/web/20130209182522/http://masdevallia.tk/catalog/)

Taxon identifiers Masdevallia Wikidata: Q132700 Wikispecies: Masdevallia BOLD: 214012 CoL: 8VSBW EoL: 29230 EPPO: 1MSLG GBIF: 2847989 GRIN: 7312 iNaturalist: 140498 IPNI: 30000945-2 IRMNG: 1266197 ITIS: 894601 NCBI: 78804 Open Tree of Life: 179411 PLANTS: MASDE POWO: urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30000945-2 Tropicos: 40014538 WFO: wfo-4000023266

Authority control databases National Israel Other Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Masdevallia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masdevallia) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masdevallia?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.