Masdevallia discoidea Luer & Würstle 1988 SUBGENUS Polyanthae SUBSECTION Successiviflorae Luer 2000

Side View Of Flower Photo courtesy of Kathy Gargis Olsen

Common Name The Disc-Shaped Masdevallia [refers to the flowers shape]

Flower Size 2" [5 cm]

Found in southern Brazil at an unknown location and elevation as a miniature sized, probably epiphytic orchid, with stout, erect ramicauls enveloped by 2 to 3 tubular sheaths carrying a single, apical, erect, thickly coriaceous, oblong, obtuse leaf that is cuneate below into an indistinct petiole that blooms in the winter on a congested, 1/5 to 2/5" [.05 to 1 cm] long, raceme arising from low on the ramicaul with a basal bract and imbricating floral bracts with single, successive opening, large flowers that are held well below the leaf.

SynonymsAlaticaulia discoidea (Luer & Würstle) Luer 2006

References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ; Systematics of Madevallia Vol 2 Luer 1986; Icones Orchidacearum Peruviarum Plate 288 Bennett & Christenson 1995; Icones Pleurothallidinarum XIX Systematics of Masdevallia Part 1 Luer 2000; Icones Pleurothallidinarum XXV Systematics of Masdevallia Part Five 2005