Masdevallia discoidea Luer & Würstle 1988 SUBGENUS Polyanthae SUBSECTION Polyanthae Rchb.f 1874
Photo by Jay Pfahl
Photos courtesy of Kathy Gargis Olsen
TYPE Drawing by Carl Luer
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 mini-miniature to 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.
Synonyms Alaticaulia discoidea (Luer & Würstle) Luer 2006
References W3 Tropicos, Kew Monocot list , IPNI ; Systematics of Masdevallia Vol 2 Luer 1986; Icones Orchidacearum Peruviarum Plate 288 Bennett & Christenson 1995; Icones Pleurothallidinarum XIX Systematics of Masdevallia Part 1 Luer 2000 drawing fide; Masdevallia's in Kleur Vol 1 P M Oversteegen, Eisses & A P Sijm 2001 photo fide; Icones Pleurothallidinarum XXV Systematics of Masdevallia Part Five Luer 2003; Icones Pleurothallidinarum Vol XXVIII Luer 2006 as Alaticaulia discoidea; AOS Bulletin Vol 82 #3 2013 photo fide; Orchids Masdevallia with its segregates including Dracula Zelenko 2014 photo fide;
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