More images of Veitch's Masdevallia
Veitch's Masdevallia Overview
Masdevallia veitchiana is a rhizomatous perennial in the orchid family, Orchidaceae. Originating from South America, this plant is found naturally in high altitude locations between 2,000-4000m above sea level. It is adapted to moist environments and thus requires ample humidity to grow well. It may be terrestrial, growing in or on the soil, or epiphytic and able to grow without the need for soil substrate, instead gleaning nutrition from their immediate surroundings. This plant doesn't possess pseudobulb storage structures as is typical with most epiphytic and terrestrial orchid species. They have fleshy, oval to lance-shaped leaves. Large flowers measure approximately 5cm by 15cm, they are bright orange-red and triangular in overall shape, with long kite-tail-like modified leaf structures, termed sepals. Flowers have a covering of fine purple hairs, creating an iridescent surface, they are produced on long stems between 40-45cm in length, typically bearing 1-2 flowers above the foliage. It has a tufted habit and does not cope well with drying out or high temperatures, plant in a position partial sunlight, in well-draining medium for optimal growth.