Masdevallia cosmia Königer 1999

SUBGENUS Polyanthae SUBSECTION Polyanthae Rchb.f 1874

Side View of Flowers Photo by © Delaware Jim and his Flickr Orchid Photo Website SUBGENUS Polyanthae SUBSECTION Polyanthae Rchb.f 1874

LATER EARLY

Common Name The Modest Masdevallia [Eroneously appllied as this species is from Valle de Cauca Colombia not Rio Chombo Ecuador]

Flower Size .4" [1 cm]

Found in Peru without collection data as a mini-miniature sized epiphyte with slender, erect, ramicauls enveloped by 2 to 3 tubular sheaths and carrying a single, apical, erect, coriaceous, narrowly elliptical, subacute, gradually narrowing below into the shortly petiolate base leaf that blooms in the later fall and early winter on an erect, terete, .8 to 1" [2 to 2.5 cm] long, a single flowered inflorescence followed by another single flower after an interval, arising from low on the ramicaul, with a bract at the base and tubular floral bracts.

CAUTION I am not 100% sure of this determination so please use with caution

Very similar to M menatoi but has a shorter terete inflorescence with a smaller flower and anteceded by a second after an interval.

Synonyms Alaticaulia cosmia (Königer) Luer 2006

References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ; Icones Pleurothallidinarum Vol XXI Luer 2000 drawing ok

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