Masdevallia

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Masdevallia
Masdevallia caudata
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
(unranked): 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

Acinopetala
Alaticaulia
Luerella Braas
Rodrigoa Braas

Masdevallia, abbreviated Masd in horticultural trade, is a large genus of flowering plants of the Pleurothallidinae, a subtribe of the orchid family (Orchidaceae). There are over 500 species, grouped into several subgenera. The genus is named for Jose Masdeval, a physician and botanist in the court of Charles III of Spain.

Contents

[edit] Range, ecology and description

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

The plant grows from a short, creeping rhizome from which appear minute pseudobulbs; some are hemicryptophytes. Each pseudobulb carries one fleshy, smooth leaf held in tufts. The green leaves are ovate or lanceolate.

They bloom usually during summer for most species in habitat, in cultivation many of these species will bloom continuously year round if they are fertilized regularly. The triangular flowers grow on short pedicels and are about 6 cm wide. On each pedicel there is ordinarily just one flower, but sometimes there may be several (e.g. in Masdevallia polysticta). The petals and the tongue-shaped or shell-shaped lip are small and are partly hidden deep inside the flower. The three large sepals are fused along their edges and commonly have long tails. The sepals are often very brightly colored and/or boldly marked, large and showy, while the rest of the flower is inconspicuous.

[edit] Cultivation

The fabulous species in this genus and related genus Dracula (orchid) are considered moderate to very difficult to maintain in cultivation depending on the species. They are best accommodated in wire or wooden hanging baskets with the plant rhizome partially buried in sphagnum moss as many of them flower downwards either through their growing medium or produce downward, creeping flower spikes. [1]

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. They should be fertilized regularly if flowers are desired, as the plants do not have any significant storage structures like most orchids. They will bloom when fed regularly.

The plant form seen in this genus more resembles an orchid-like habit in leaf form and shape than plants in the genus Dracula, and are not herb-like in appearance, as Dracula species tend to be. Like Dracula species, they require cool, moist conditions. They are considered difficult, fussy plants in cultivation, but well worth the effort as many of them flower continuously year round and the flowers of many of these species are large and very showy, with indescribably vivid, almost phosphorescent colors. [2]

[edit] Selected species

Main article: List of Masdevallia species

[edit] Taxonomy and systematics

While several genera have been included in Masdevallia in the attempt to make it a natural monophyletic group, Jostia, Spilotantha and the former subgenus Teagueia[3] have been split off in the process. Not all authors accept this decision at present, and the final consensus remains to be established on this matter.

[edit] Subgenera

Veitch's Masdevallia, Masdevallia (Masdevallia) veitichiana, is in section Masdevallia, subsection Coccineae

There is a lot of variation between the orchids of the genus Masdevallia. This had led to a further division into subgenera, sections and subsections.[4]

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ Illustrated Encyclopedia of Orchids ISBN 0881922676
  2. ^ Illustrated Encyclopedia of Orchids ISBN 0881922676
  3. ^ Jost [2008]
  4. ^ Luer (1984-2003)

[edit] References

  • Gerritsen, Mary E. & Parsons, Ron (2005): Masdevallias, Gems of the Orchid World. Timber Press.
  • Jost, Lou [2008]: Monograph of the genus Teagueia Luer (Orchidaceae). Retrieved 2008-NOV-30.
  • Luer, Carlyle A.: Icones Pleurothallidinarum, Systematics of Masdevallia (multiple volumes). Missouri Botanical Garden Press. (1984–2003)

[edit] External links

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