ICONES PLE UROTHALLIDINARUM
II
SYSTEMATICS
OF
MASDEVALLIA
(ORCHIDACEAE)
Missouri Botanical Garden
REF.
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ERRATA
Page 32. delete M. cinnamomea Rchb.f.
M. figueroae should read M. figueroae Luer
Page 57. delete 32 after cinnamomea
Page 61. keteropetala should read heterotepala
xiphium Rchb.f. ex Rchb.f. should read xiphium Rchb.f. ex Krai.
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ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM
n
SYSTEMATICS
OF
MASDEVALLIA
CARLYLE A. LUER
W
Missouri Botanical Garden
MONOGRAPHS IN SYSTEMATIC BOTANY
from the Missouri Botanical Garden
Volume 16, July 1986.
ISSN 06161-1542
Copyright © 1986 by Missouri Botanical Garden.
All rights reserved.
Carlyle A. Luer
3222 Old Oak Drive
Sarasota, FL 33579
Printed in the United States of America by
Arcade lithographing Corp., Bradenton, FL
Typesetting by the Graphics Design Center, Inc.
CONTENTS
Abstract. 1
Introductory discussion. 1
Key to the subgenera, sections and subsections without regard
to relationships. 4
Key to the subgenera and sections with regard to relationships.6
List of illustrations. 8
Taxonomy of the genus Masdevallia . 9
Acknowledgments .55
References.56
Index to scientific names.57
Synonymous epithets. 60
Epithets published in Masdevallia referable to other genera. 62
SYSTEMATICS OF THE GENUS MASDEVALLIA (ORCHIDACEAE)
Carlyle A. Luer
ABSTRACT
The genus Masdevallia is described. A key to the subgenera and sections
in regard to relationships, and a key to the subgenera, sections and subsec¬
tions without regard to relationships are given. The infrageneric taxa are
reviewed and briefly described, and the species of each are listed. A repre¬
sentative black and white illustration of each supraspecific taxon is
included.
New taxa and combinations:
Masdevallia subgen. Amanda Luer, nom. nov.
subgen. Amanda sect. Nidificae Luer, sect. nov.
subgen. Amanda sect. Ophioglossae Luer, sect. nov.
subgen. Amanda sect. Pygmaeae Luer, sect. nov.
subgen. Masdevallia sect. Amaluzae Luer, sect. nov.
subgen. Masdevallia sect. Aphanes Luer, sect. nov.
subgen. Masdevallia sect. Caudivolvulae Luer, sect. nov.
subgen. Masdevallia sect. Coriaceae subsect. Durae
Luer, subsect. nov.
subgen. Masdevallia sect. Ligiae Luer, sect. nov.
subgen. Masdevallia sect. Masdevallia subsect.
Oscillantes Luer, subsect. nov.
subgen. Masdevallia sect. Masdevallia subsect.
Saltatrices (Rchb. f.) Luer, stat. nov.
subgen. Masdevallia sect. Masdevallia subsect.
TVibulosae (Rchb. f.) Luer, stat. nov.
subgen. Masdevallia sect. Mentosae Luer, sect. nov.
subgen. Masdevallia sect. Polyanthae subsect.
Alaticaules (Krzl.) Luer, stat. nov.
subgen. Masdevallia sect. Reichenbachianae subsect.
Dentatae Luer, subsect. nov.
subgen. Masdevallia sect. Reichenbachianae subsect.
Reichenbachianae (Woolw.) Luer, stat. nov.
subgen. Meleagris Luer, nom. nov.
subgen. Pelecaniceps Luer, nom. nov.
subgen. Teagueia Luer, subgen. nov.
Masdevallia coriacea Lindl. subsp. bonplandii (Rchb. f.) Luer, stat.
Masdevallia picturata Rchb. f. subsp. minor (Cogn.) Luer, stat. nov.
Masdevallia ophioglossa Rchb. f. subsp. grossa (Luer) Luer, stat. nov.
Masdevallia tubulosa Lindl. subsp, syringodes (Luer & Andreetta)
Luer, stat. nov.
Masdevallia ventricularia Rchb. f. subsp. filaria (Luer & Escobar)
Luer, stat. nov.
In Dressler’s classification of the Orchidaceae (Dressier 1981) the
Pleurothallidinae are one of ten subtribes in the tribe Epidendreae, and
the Epidendreae are one of nine tribes in the subfamily Epidendroideae.
The Pleurothallidinae, the largest in number of species of the subtribes
with nearly 4000 species in 29 genera, are distinguished from the other
subtribes by their single-leaved, non-pseudobulbous stems (ramicauls),
and an articulated ovary (deciduous from the pedicel).
ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM
The genus Masdevallia comprises about 350 species distributed from
southern Mexico to southern Brazil, and it is the most popular of the
pleurothallid genera among hobbyists. The flowers of many species are
large and showy, and the plants are relatively easy to cultivate in cool
climes. The genus is one of the largest in numbers in the subtribe, being
surpassed by Lepanthes Sw., Pleurothallis R. Br., and Stelis Sw. Since
the last treatment of the genus (KrSnzlin 1925), the number of known
species has been doubled. Species of the genus Masdevallia are distin¬
guished from all others by the calliferous petals (rarely membranous
without a callus), and a lip hinged to a free, incurved extension from
the apex of the column-foot.
The first species of the genus, as well as the genus itself, was de¬
scribed by Ruiz and Pav6n from plants they collected above Huassa-
Huassi in Peru about 1779. The second species of Masdevallia to be
recorded was discovered by Humboldt and Bonpland in 1801 near the
Rumichaca bridge between Colombia and Ecuador. It was published as
the M . uniflora of Ruiz and Pav6n later recognized by Reichenbach as
M. bonplandii . By 1849, when Reichenbach described his first species
in the genus, 24 species already had been described. By the time of his
death in 1889, he had attributed about 150 epithets to the genus, but
many have been transferred to other genera (i.e. Dracula Luer, Drya-
dvlla Luer, Porroglossum Schltr., Scaphosepalum Pfitz. and Trisetella
The earliest attempt to indicate subdivisions of the genus was made
in 1861 by Reichenbach when he listed groups under the names of
species with which they seemed to be most closely allied. In 1874, he
lagan to add an epithet after the binomial and before the Latin descrip¬
tion when he described new species. Usually he made no mention of the
rank of the subdivision, but in a few instances he indicated “section.”
In this paper these “sections” are considered validly published.
Pfitzer (1888), Veitch (1889) and Woolward (1890-1896) utilized them
as sections or subsections. KrSnzlin changed some names and added a
few more subdivisions in his error-ridden monograph of the genus in
1925, which is as confusing as it is misleading. In some of his sectional
keys he made undesignated subdivisions, usually consisting of unre¬
lated species. These dubious infrasectional categories will not be consid¬
ered in the following keys and text.
Although vegetatively a few species may be easily recognized (e.g. the
pendent M. caesia Roezl), it is not practical to try to identify the
intragenenc divisions by vegetative characters. All species of Masde¬
vallia are characterized by a ramicaul (the aerial, leaf-bearing stem,
commonly called the secondary stem) (Stem & Pridgeon 1984) shorter
than the coriacious, elliptical to narrowly elliptical, petiolate to sub-
petiolate leaf.
The inflorescence emerges laterally with an annulus usually near or
at the base of the ramicaul, or occasionally higher from near the middle,
but always a considerable distance below the leaf-stem abscission layer,
ihe annulus is a visible ring encircling the ramicaul at the level of
emergence of the inflorescence. Its origin, analogy, and function, if any,
are unknown. The inflorescence may be single- or many-flowered, with
the flowers produced simultaneously or successively. The peduncle of
some clones of some species (e.g. M. floribunda Iindl.) characterized by
SYSTEMATICS OF MASDEVALLIA
a solitary flower, may later bear a second flower. Other obviously
closely related species may differ in being single- or successively
several-flowered (e.g. M. rolfeana Krzl. and M. calura Rchb.f. respec¬
tively). One large group of interrelated species is characterized by a
peduncle triangular in cross-section, but some clones of a few species
occasionally produce terete peduncles, or both round and triangular
peduncles (e.g. M. infracta Lindl. and M. cuprea Lindl.).
The character of the pedicel is of value only at the specific level. The
subtending floral bract is commonly inflated in subgen. Amanda, and a
large, cucullate floral bract is seen in sect. Cucullatae. The ovaries of all
species are trivalved and each valve is ribbed to some degree. The ribs
may be externally invisible, or thickened, carinate, or convoluted. The
ovary of subgen. Amanda is typically carinate-crested. The surface of
other ovaries may be smooth, pitted, verrucose, papillose, or spiculate.
The sepals display not only the most obvious but also the greatest
diversities in size, shape, texture, and color of all the floral or vegetative
parts. They are almost always the most important factor in specific
diagnoses, but because of superficial similarities in some of the
infrageneric taxa, they are of less value above the specific rank.
Although usually partially connate into a cup or tube, they may be
essentially free. The surfaces may be glabrous, pubescent, or verrucose.
The apices are usually contracted into tails, but they may be tailless.
The calliferous petals, long considered the hallmark of the genus, are
small, usually about the length of the column they flank. They are often
cartilaginous in consistency with callous thickenings along one or both
margins. The labellar marginal callus commonly produces an angle, or
a “tooth,” near or below the middle, or at the base. Occasionally in very
small-flowered species there is no callus. The apex of the petal may be
acute, obtuse, or tridentate. It is commonly lobulated in varying degrees
and proportions within a species.
The lip is also small, although it often exceeds the stout column in
length. It is usually ligulate, often with a callus at the apex, and the
apex may be smooth or verrucose. Diagonal marginal folds near the
middle often divide the lip into a hypochile and an epichile. A simple,
smooth lip is seen in sect. Masdeuallia, and a divided lip usually with a
verrucose epichile is seen in sect. Polyanthae. In sect. Coriaceae the lip
is simple but thick and verrucose.
The column is very much the same in all species of Masdeuallia. It is
semiterete with a ventral anther more or less hooded by the apex of the
column. The two ovoid pollinia are connected to a viscidium by granu¬
lar, elastic caudicles. The base of the column is prolonged into a thick¬
ened foot at the apex of the ovary, and from the apex of the foot there is
a free, incurved extension to which the lip is hinged.
In the present classification of the genus Masdeuallia, five subgen¬
era, 17 sections and 12 subsections are recognized. The majority of the
species constitute subgen. Masdeuallia. In the second of the two follow¬
ing keys to the subgeneric taxa, an attempt has been made to bring
related species together irrespective of superficial similarities or dissim¬
ilarities. No attempt has been made in the first key to indicate
relationships.
ICONES PLEUROTHALUDINARUM
1 Hi it ill Is nil lift II Mill! 111,1!
ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM
OF MASDEVALLIA
ICONES PLEUROTHALUDINABUM
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Subgenus Amanda
Section Amandae Masdevalha amanda Rchb. f. Plate 1.
Section Fissae Masdevallia picturata Rchb. f. Plate 2.
Section Nidificae Masdevallia nidifica Rchb. f. Plate 3.
Section Ophioglossae Masdevallia ophioglossa Rchb. f. Plate 4
Section Pygmaeae Masdevallia erinacea Rchb. f. Plate 5.
Subgenus Masdevallia
Section Amaluzae Masdevallia patula Luer & Malo Plate 6.
Section Aphanes Masdevallia aphanes Kgr. Plate 7.
Section Caudivolvulae Masdevallia caudivolvula Krzl. Plate 8.
Section Coriaceae
Subsection Coriaceae Masdevallia coriacea Lindl. Plate 9.
Subsection Durae Masdevallia dura Luer Plate 10.
Section Cucullatae Masdevallia cucullata Rchb. f. Plate 11.
Section Ligiae Masdevallia ligiae
Luer & Escobar Plate 12.
Section Masdevallia
Subsection Caudatae Masdevallia caudata Lindl. Plate 13.
Subsection Coccineae Masdevallia coccinea
Lind, ex Lindl. Plate 14.
Subsection Masdevallia Masdevallia uniflora Ruiz & Pav. Plate 15.
Subsection Oscillantes Masdevallia wageneriana
Lind, ex Lindl. Plate 16.
Subsection Saltatrices Masdevallia urosalpinx Luer Plate 17.
Subsection Tubulosae Masdevallia tubulosa Lindl. Plate 18.
Section Mentosae Masdevallia mentosa Luer Plate 19.
Section Minutae Masdevallia minuta Lindl. Plate 20.
Section Polyanthae
Subsection Alaticaules Masdevallia bicolor Poepp. & Endl.Plate 21.
Subsection Polyanthae Masdevallia schlimii Lindl. Plate 22.
Section Racemosae Masdevallia racemosa Lindl. Plate 23.
Section Reichenbachianae
Subsection Dentatae Masdevallia macrogenia
(Arango) Luer & Escobar Plate 24.
Subsection Reichenbachianae
Masdevallia schroederiana Veitch Plate 25.
Subgen. Meleagris Masdevalha meleagris lindl. Plate 26.
Subgen. Pelecaniceps Masdevallia pelecamceps Luer Plate 27.
Subgen. Teagueia Masdevallia teaguei Luer Plate 28.
SYSTEMATICS OF MASDEVALUA
TAXONOMY OF THE GENUS MASDEVALUA
Masdevallia Ruiz & Pav., FI. Peruv. Chil. Prodr. 122,1794.
Type: Masdevallia uniflora Ruiz & Pav., Syst. Veg. 238,1798.
Ety.: Named in honor of Jose Masdevall, physician in the court of
Figure 1. Masdevallia decumana Kgr.
ICONES PLEUROTHALUDINARUM
Masdevallia subgen. Amanda Luer, nom. nov.
Bas.: Masdevallia sect. Amandae Rchbi., Gard. Chron. 2:290,1874.
Type: Masdevallia amanda Rchb.f. & Warsc., Bonplandia 2:115,1854.
Ety.: From the Latin amandus, “lovely,” referring to the pretty flowers.
The species of this subgenus are distinguished by the single-flowered
or simultaneously two- to many-flowered inflorescence; the peduncle
round in cross-section; the ovaries carinate or crested; the sepals more
or less membranous; the petals relatively thin, often denticulate or ser¬
rate; and a lip more or less divided by marginal folds into a hypochile
and an epichile. The column is typical for Masdevallia. Five sections
are recognized.
Masdevallia subgen. Amanda sect. Amandae Rchb.f. Gard. Chron.
2:290,1874.
Type: Masdevallia amanda Rchb.f. & Warsc., Bonplandia 2:115,1854.
Syn.: Masdevallia subsect. Amandae (Rchb.f.) Veitch, Man. Orchid. PI. 5:18,1889.
Type: Masdevallia amanda Rchb. f. & Warsc.
Syn.: Masdevallia sect. Polystictae Krzl., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 34:32,
1925.
Type: Masdevallia polysticta Rchb.f., Gard. Chron. 1:338,1874.
Ety.: From the Greek polystictos, “with many dots,” referring to the spotted flowers.
This section constitutes the well-known “Polystictae” of Kranzlin.
The 28 or more species are found in Ecuador (except for M. rafaeliana
in Costa Rica and M. alvaroi in Colombia), with a few extending into
neighboring Peru. One variable species (M. amanda) occurs in all three
cordilleras of Colombia and northern Ecuador.
The species are characterized by simultaneously multiflowered
racemes, but occasionally as few as two flowers may be present (or
sometimes reduced to one in M. alvaroi or in M. amanda ). The pedun¬
cles are round in cross-section; the floral bracts are often inflated; the
ovanes are carinate or crested; the sepals are connate into a shallow
cup or a cylindrical tube; the petals are thin to membranous, denticulate
to serrate, and sometimes without a callus; the lip is usually divided by
lateral folds into a hypochile and a smaller, rounded epichile.
Species: M. abbreviata Rchb.f.
M. leptoura Luer
M. melanopus Rchb.f.
M. microsiphon Luer
M. ova-avis Luer
M. alvaroi Luer & Escobar
M. amanda Rchb.f. & Warsc.,.. Plate 1.
M. bulbophyllopsis Krzl.
M. caloptera Rchbi.
Af. chaetostoma Luer
M. comzonica Schltr.
M. dalstroemii Luer
M. pachyura Rchb.f.
M. polysticta Rchb.f.
M. delphina Luer
M. graminea Luer
M. porphyrea Luer & Male
M. pukherrima Luer & Andreetta
M. rafaeliana Luer
M.huebschiana Krzl.
M. hydrae Luer
M. invenusta Luer
M. lehmannii Rchbi.
M. spathulifolia Krzl.
M. tentaculata Luer
M. tridens Rchb.f.
M. zygia Luer & Malo
SYSTEMATICS OF MASDEVALLIA
Plate 1. Masdeuallia amada Rchb. f.
ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM
Masdevallia subgen. Amanda sect. Fissae Rchb.f., Otia Bot. Ham-
burgensia 1:16,1878.
Type: Masdevallia picturata Rchb.f, Otia Bot. Hamburgensia 1:16,
1878 . , ,
Ety.: From the Latin fissus, “cleft,” refemng to the free sepals.
This small section of three species is characterized by solitary flow¬
ers, inflated floral bracts, curled or undulate ovarian crests, sepals free
nearly to the base, a lip divided into a hypochile and an epichile, and a
short column-foot.
One species ( M . picturata) is widespread from Central America
through the Andes. It is represented by two extreme forms and several
intermediate forms. The large, colorful form from high altitudes, the
typical M. picturata, appears distinctly different from the weak, more
common form of lower altitudes, which has been segregated as var.
minor by Cogniaux.
The other two species are rare and local in Panama and Colombia.
Species: Af. mutica Luer & Escobar
Af. picturata Rchb. f.. Plate 2.
M. picturata Kchb.f. subsp. minor (Cogn.) Luer, slat. nov.
Af. picturata Rchb.f. var. minor Cogn., FI. Bras. :J(4): 329,1896.
Af. plcurothalloidcs Luer
Masdevallia subgen. Amanda sect. Nidificae Luer, sect. nov.
Type: Masdevallia nidifica Rchb.f., Otia Bot. Hamburgensia 1:18,
1878.
Ety.: From the Latin nidificus , “built like a nest,” in reference to the
caespitose habit of the plant.
Pedunculus uniflorus. Ovarium carinatum. Sepala in cupulam tubumve basi inflatum
divisum co * umnae 9 uam columns longiore. Labellum in hypochilium epichiliumque
The five species of this section, distributed in the mountains of Cen¬
tral America, Colombia and Ecuador, are characterized by the single-
flowered inflorescence; more or less inflated floral bracts - carinate or
crested ovaries; sepals connate into a short or cylindrical sepaline tube
with a bulbous or broad base created in part by a long, curved column-
foot; and a lip divided into a hypochile and an epichile which stands
erect within the flower.
Species: Af. dynastes Luer
Af. molossoides Krzl.
Af. molossus Rchbf.
Af. nidifica Rchb. f. .
Af. ventricosa Schltr.
Plate 3.
SYSTEMATICS OF MASDEVALLIA
Plate 2. Masdevallia picturata Rchb. f.
ICONES PLEUROTHALUDINARUM
Plate 3. Masdevallia nidifka Rchb. f.
SYSTEMATICS OF MASDEVALUA
Masdevallia subgen. Amanda sect. Ophioglossae Luer, sect. nov.
Type: Masdevallia ophioglossa Rchb.f., Otia Bot. Hamburgensia 1:17,
1878.
Ety.: From the Greek ophioglossa, “snake-tongue,” referring to the
shape of the lip.
Pedunculus plerumque uniflorus. Ovarium carinatum. Sepala in tubum cylindricum
basi inflatum connata. Labelli epichilium verrucossisimum. Pes columnae brevis.
This section consists of one (or possibly two) small Ecuadorian spe¬
cies characterized by a solitary, white flower; a sepaline tube bulbous at
the base; a verrucose epichile of the slender lip; and a short column-foot.
On rare occasions a second flower may be produced from the same
peduncle.
The combination of the features listed above do not permit this spe¬
cies to be accommodated elsewhere.
A somewhat distant population of much larger habit and flowers was
segregated as M. grossa by Luer. The two taxa are easily distinguished
by sight, but the morphological differences, except for size, do not seem
specifically distinct. Perhaps recognition at the subspecific level would
solve the problem.
Species: At ophioglossa Rchb. f. . Plate 4.
M. ophioglossa Rchb. f. subsp. grossa (Luer) Luer stat. nov.
M. grossa Luer, Phytologia 47:64,1980.
Masdevallia subgen. Amanda sect. Pygmaeae Luer, sect. nov.
Type: Masdevallia pygmaea Krzl., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg.
Beih. 34:92,1925.
Ety.: From the Latin pygmaeus, “dwarf,” referring to the habit of the
plant.
Pedunculus uniflorus. Ovarium carinatum echinatum papillosumve. Sepala in cupulam
connata. Labellum integrum vel plus minusve divisum.
This section of five small species is distinguished by the carinate
ovaries, more or less echinate or papillose, the projections continuing
forward onto the carinate veins of the sepals; the sepals are connate
into a short tube or cup; the callus of the petals is usually produced into
a basal tooth; and the lip is entire or indistinctly divided by marginal
folds.
Perhaps these species could be separated into other subgenera on the
basis of the lips, but in spite of this difference, they seem to form a unit
which seems more closely allied to subgen. Amanda than to subgen.
Masdevallia. The species are distributed from Costa Rica to Bolivia.
16 ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM
Plate 4. Masdevallia ophioglossa Rchb. f.
SYSTEMATICS OF MASDEVALUA
Plate 5. Masdevallia erinacea Rchb. f.
ICONES PLEUROTHAIJJDINARUM
Masdevallia subgen. Masdevallia
Type: Masdevallia uniflora Ruiz & Pav., Syst. Veg. 238,1798.
Syn.: Masdevallia sect. Eumasdevallia Veitch, Man. Orchid. PL 5:17,1889.
Type: Masdevallia uniflora Ruiz & Pav.
Ety.: From the genus Masdevallia plus the Greek eu , “true,” indicating that the section
contains the true Masdevallias.
This subgenus consists of the majority of the species of the genus.
Twelve sections can be defined. They all seem interrelated, and the
boundaries of some are not well defined. Intermediate species, or species
with peculiar combinations of features, are problems.
Masdevallia subgen. Masdevallia sect. Amaluzae Luer, sect. nov.
Type: Masdevallia amaluzae Luer & Malo, Phytologia 39:185,1978.
Ety.: Named for the community of Amaluza in the province of Azuay,
Ecuador, near the locality where the type collection was made.
Racemus successiviflorus horizontalis. Sepala caudata in tubum connata. Petala cal¬
losa cum sineve dente. Labellum integrum plus minusve bicallosum.
This small section is composed of species characterized by a horizon¬
tal or descending raceme of successive flowers with slender sepaline
tails. In one species the tails are sometimes clavate. The petals are
usually acute and callous with or without a tooth. The lip is entire with
a pair of low calli. Four closely allied species are found in southeastern
Ecuador, another in westeentral Ecuador, and one widely distributed
from Central America to Bolivia.
Species: M. amaluzae Luer & Malo
M. eamenensis Luer & Malo
M. naranjapatae Luer
M. patula Luer & Malo.
M sanehezii Luer & Andreetta
M. zahlbruckneri Krzl.
M TW SSriir M , aSdev “" ia Aphanes Luer, sect. nov.
F^FWrtl r “ a P har } es K ^-> Die Orchidee 30:196,1979.
y habit 1 * Gleek aphanes ' “ obscure ” referring to the diminutive
ft! fT* pa ‘ >illosun > verrucoaumve. Sepala
• retala callosa. Labellum bicallosum apice laeve.
chl^Sr^r 68 '/ 0 ""* 1 in Eeuador . Pe ™ and Bolivia, and
” Mfc «.«*, “ olh "• “ 1 ‘
Species: M aphanes Kgr..
SYSTEMATIC OF MASDEVALUA
/
Plate 6. Masdevallia patula Luer & Malo
ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM
Plate 7. Masdevallia aphanes Kgr.
SYSTEMATICS OF MASDEVALLLA
Masdevallia subgen. Masdevallia sect. Caudivolvulae Luer, sect,
nov.
Type: Masdevallia caudivolvula Krzl., Notizbl. Bot. Gart. Berlin-
Dahlem 8:128,1922.
Ety.: From the Latin caudivolvulus , “a twisted tail,” referring to the
sepaline tails.
Pedunculus uniflorus. Caudae sepalorum tortae. Labellum in hypochilium et epichilium
laeve divisum.
This section is composed of one unusual Colombian species that is
not accommodated by any of the other sections. The sepals of the soli¬
tary flowers are markedly thickened along the veins on the inner sur¬
faces, and at the apices they are continued into thick, rigid, twisted tails.
The petals are callous without a tooth, and the lip is divided by lateral
folds into a hypochile and a smooth, although minutely denticulate,
epichile.
Species: M. caudivolvula Krzl. P ,ate 8 ‘
Masdevallia subgen. Masdevallia sect. Coriaceae Rchb.f., Gard.
Chron. 1:240, 1874.
Type: Masdevallia coriacea Iindl., Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. 15:257,1845.
Ety.: From the Latin coriaceus, “leathery,” referring to the texture of
the leaves and possibly also the flowers.
Syn, Masdevallia sect Leontoghssae Rchb.f„ Otia Bot. Hamburgensia 1:15, 1H78.
Type: Masdevallia leontaglassa Kchb.f., Bonplandia 3:69,1855.
E?y From the Greek kantaglossa, "a lion tongue,” refemng to the rough kp.
Syn.: Masdevallia subsect Cormeae <Rchb.f.) Veitch, Man. Orchid. Pi. 5:18.1889.
Type: Masdevallia coriacea Rchb.f.
This large section of interrelated species is characterized by the
a-wi w-
concave and possibly nectariferous.
ICONES PLEUROTHALUDINARUM
Plate 8. Masdevallia caudivolvula Krzl.
SYSTEMATIC OF MASDEVALLIA
Subsect. Coriaceae (Rchb.f.) Veitch, Man. Orchid. PI. 5:18,1889.
Type: Masdeuallia coriacea Lindl., Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. 15:257,1845.
The majority of the species of the section are single-flowered, and
they are contained in this large subsection. They are all Andean in
origin except for one species (Af. cupularis) in Costa Rica.
One large, pleomorphic species (M. coriacea) is represented by two
extremes and several, intermediate forms. The typical, tall, long-
pedunculate, pale, large-flowered plants found around Bogota, Colom¬
bia, appear distinctly different from the colorful, small-flowered, short-
pedunculate plants found elsewhere, but no better specific differences
exist. The status of subspecies is proposed for the latter.
Species: Af. angulata Rchb.f.
Af. atahualpa Luer
Af. cacodes Luer & Escobar
Af. caesia Roezl
Af. campyloglossa Rchb-f. M P®”*
Af. civilis Rchb.f. M.pem
Af. colossus Luer
Af. coriacea lindl..
M. coriacea Lindl. subsp. bonplandii (Rchb. f.) Luer, stat
Af. bonplandii Rchb.f., Bonplandia 3£9,1855.
Af. cupularis Rchb.f.
Af. elephanticeps Rchb.f. pixec
Af. foetens Luer & Escobar plat \
Af. fractiflexa Lehm. & Krzl. pxxu
Af. fragrans Woolw. M.ngen
Af. hylodes Luer & Escobar M. sane,
Af. hystrix Luer & Hirtz
Af. leontoglossa Rchb.f.
Af. macroglossa Rchbf.
Af. sororcula Rchb.f.
Af’ torta Rchb.f.
Subsect. Durae Luer, subsect. nov.
Type: Masdeuallia dura Luer, Phytologia 39:197,1978.
Ety.: From the Latin durus, “hard,” in reference to the texture of the
flowers.
This subsection is composed of the few species of the section that are
successively flowered. Three are Andean in origin; M. utnculata is
Panamanian.
Species: Af. ayabaeana I^ier
Af. dura Luer.
Af. panguiensis Ijxer & Andreetta
Af. utriculata Luer
Plate 10.
24 ICONES PLEUROTHALUDINARUM
Plate 9. Masdevallia coriacea Lindl.
SYSTEMATICS OF MASDEVALLIA
Plate 10. Masdeuallia dura Luer
ICONES PLEUROTHALIJDINARUM
Masdevallia subgen. Masdevallia sect. Cucullatae Rchb.f., Gard.
Chron. 1:72, 1878.
Type: Masdevallia cucullata Lindl., Orch. Lind. 4,1846.
Ety.: From the Latin cucullatus, “hooded,” referring to the inflated
floral bract.
Syn.: Masdevallia subsect. Cucullatae (Rchb. f.) Veitch, Man. Orchid. PI. 5:18,1889.
Type: Masdevallia cucullata Lindl.
This section consists of four robust species characterized by a large,
solitary flower subtended by a large, inflated floral bract that encloses
the pedicel, ovary and often the basal portion of the sepaline tube. The
inflorescence arises from near the middle of the ramicaul. The petals
are channeled and verrucose at the apex except for M. macrura which
exhibits only thickening at the apex. The lips are divided by marginal
folds into a hypochile and a verrucose epichile. All four species occur in
Colombia, two ranging into Ecuador.
Species: M. cerastes Luer & Escobar
M. corniculata Rchb.f.
M. cucullata Rchb.f. . Plate 11
M. macrura Rchb.f.
Masdevallia subgen. Masdevallia sect. Ligiae Luer, sect. nov.
Type: Masdevallia ligiae Luer & Escobar, Orquideologia 15:131,1982.
Ety.: Named in honor of Sra. Ligia Posada in whose collection this
species was found.
Jltr* 0 " T 81 ** 8 of a Colombian species that does not fit
other section. It has been suspected of being a hybrid,
S^t Po/voiX" XTST. of M 8ubsect ' ■ Sa " a(ric ' <,s and f speaes of
tb-7 ( unKkel y- ‘ n * inflorescence is
ventrirn^h!’ k ” B ,‘ tailed ^P 3 ' 8 are connate into a cylindrical,
, tub ?- the petals are toothless; and the lip is clearly divided
into a hypochile and a smooth epichile by marginal folds
Species: M. ligiae Luer & Escobar
Plate 12.
Plate 1L MasdevaUia cucullata Rchb. f.
ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM
Plate 12. Masdevallia ligiae Luer & Escobar
SYSTEMATICS OF MASDEVALLIA
Masdevallia subgen. Masdevalia Sect. Masdevallia
Type: Masdevallia uniflora Ruiz & Pav., Syst. Veg. 238,1798.
This section consists of a large number of closely interrelated species
characterized by single-flowered peduncles. The often colorful sepals,
frequently pubescent but not verrucose, are not as thick and rigid as
those in sect. Coriaceae or sect. Polyanthae. The depth of connation of
the sepals varies from a shallow, widely spread sepaline cup to a long,
cylindrical sepaline tube. The petals are cartilaginous, usually with a
well-developed, retrorse tooth from the callus near the base on the label-
lar margin. The lip is usually thin, and the apex with or without a callus
is usually smooth or sometimes cellular-glandular (echinate in M. echi-
nata). The disc is smooth or with a low pair of parallel calli. The mar¬
gins of the Up are never with folds.
The species are widely distributed in the Andes; none is known from
Central America or southern Brazil. Six subsections are defined.
Subsect. Caudatae Veitch, Man. Orchid. PI. 5:18,1889,
qype- Hlasdevallia caudata Lindl., Gen. Sp. Orch. 193,1833.
This group of numerous, closely allied species, widespread in the
Andes but absent from Central America, is characterized by the widely
spread more or less similar, long-tailed sepals connate basally into a
shallow sepaline cup which exposes the petals, column and lip standing
more or less erect in the center. The degree of connation of the sepals
gradually increases in different species so that this subsection gradu-
Oscillantes
Plate 13. Masdevallia caudata Lindl.
SYSTEMATIC^ OF MASDEVALLIA
Subsect. Coccineae Veitch, Man. Orchid. PI. 5:18,1889.
Type: Masdevallia coccinea Lind, ex Lindl., Orch. Lind. 5,1846.
Ety.: From the Latin coccineus , “deep red to crimson,” in reference to
the colors of the flowers.
Syn.: Masdevallia sect Coccineae (Rchb.f.) Woolw., The Genus Masdevallia sect 2,
The species of this subsection, found in the Andes of Colombia, Ecua¬
dor and Peru, are some of the largest and showiest of the genus. Most
are characterized by the long peduncle bearing a large, solitary, colorful
flower. The sepals are connate into a slender, cylindrical sepaline tube,
but beyond the orifice to the tube the lateral sepals are expanded and
considerably larger than the dorsal sepal. The petals and lip are out of
sight deep within the sepaline tube.
Species: M. amabilis Rchbi. & Warsc.
M barlaeana Rchbi.
M. coccinea Lind, ex LindL .Plate 14
M. davisii Rchbi.
M. deformis Krzl.
M. echinata Luer
M. ignea Rchbi.
M rosea Lindl.
M. stumpflei Braas
M. veitchiana Rchbi.
M venusta Schltr.
M. welischii Luer
Subsect. Masdevallia
Syn.: Masdevallia sect Clausae-porrectae Rchb.f., Gard. Chron. 2:388, 1875.
Type: Masdevallia ionocharis Rchbi., Gard. Chron. 2:388,1875.
Ety.: From the Latin clausus, “closed,” and porrectus, “stretched outwards and for¬
ward,” referring to the sepaline tube.
Syn.: Masdevallia sect Urceolares Krzl., Repert Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 34:43,
Type: Masdevallia urceolaris Krzl., Notizbl. Bot Gart Berlin Dahlem 8:132,1922.
Ety.: From the Latin urceolaris, “pitcher-shaped,” in reference to the shape of the
sepaline tube.
This large group of species contains those with a colorful sepaline cup
more deeply connate than that of subsect. Caudatae without the petals
and lip being exposed, and the numerous species with an increasing
depth of connation into a tube. Grouped into other subsections are those
species with small, whitish, tubular flowers (subsect. Thbulosae), those
species with the free portions of the lateral sepals widely expanded and
larger than the free part of the dorsal sepal (subsect. Coccineae ), and
those species with ventricose sepaline tubes (subsect Saltatrices).
The petals usually have a well-developed tooth at or above the base.
SYSTEMATICS OF MASDEVALLIA
ICONES PLEUROTHALUDINARUM
Plate 15. Masdevallia uniflora Ruiz & Pav.
Plate 16. Masdevallia wageneriana Lind, ex lindl.
ICONES PLEUROTHALUDIN ARUM
Subsect. Salta trices (Rchb.f.) Luer, stat. nov.
Type: Masdevallia saltatrix Rchb.f., Iinnaea 41:10,1877.
Ety.: From the Latin saltatrix, “a dancer,” in allusion to the fancied
impression of the graceful, upright flower.
Bas.: Masdevallia sect. Saltatrices Rchb.f., Linnaea 41:10.1877.
TVpe: Masdevallia saltatrix Rchb.f.
This subsection is characterized by species with the sepals deeply
connate into a long sepaline tube that is more or less constricted above
the middle or below the free segments, and more or less ventricose
below the constriction. In different species the degree of connation
gradually lessens so that this subsection grades imperceptibly into sub¬
sect. Masdevallia. The tooth of the petal is usually less well-developed,
but it may be so highly developed that the pair articulates under the
column and over the lip.
The species of this subsection are found in the Andes of Colombia,
Ecuador and Peru. One wide-spread species (M. ventricularia) was de¬
scribed from the Ecuadorian population with short sepaline tails. A
widely distributed form from Colombia with sepaline tails much longer
than the tube was segregated as M. filaria by Luer & Escobar. The
latter seems best recognized at the subspecific level.
Species: M. ampullacea Luer & Andreetta
M. marthae Luer & Escobar
M. mendozae Luer
M. os-draconis Luer & Escobar
M. eonstricta Poepp. & Endl.
M. fuehsii Luer
M. Umax Luer
M. ventricularia Rchb. f. subsp. filaria (Luer & Escobar) Luer,
M. filaria Luer & Escobar, Orquideologia 13:70,
M. strobelii Sweet and Garay
M. urosalpinx Luer. Plate 17.
M. ventricularia Rchb.f.
Figure 2. Masdevallia saltatrix Rchb. f.
SYSTEMATICS OF MASDEVALUA
Plate 17. Masdevallia urosalpinx Luer
ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM
Subsect. Ibbulosae (Rchb.f.) Luer, stat. nov.
Type: Masdevallia tubulosa Iindl., Orch. Lind. 4,1846.
Ety.: From the Latin tubulosus, “like a tube,” referring to the shape of
the sepaline tube.
This section is composed of very small to medium-sized species char¬
acterized by solitary, white to yellowish or greenish tubular flowers
often with more or less similar free parts of the sepals. The callus of the
petals is usually poorly developed, and in some species the callus may
be totally lacking (e.g. M. bangii ). The lip is ligulate, usually with a pair
of calli, and the apex may be cellular-papillose. The species are widely
distributed in the Andes.
The most widely distributed species is the variable M. tubulosa
known from Venezuela to Peru. From Ecuador a form with short, thick
SS !^ egat f by -^*f & ,^ d T eeUa as M syrineodes is best recog¬
nized at the subspecific level. Both taxa occur in Peru.
Species: M. bangii Schltr.
M. irapana Sweet
M. kyphonantha Sweet
M lansbergii Rchb.f.
Ma l e I a , llia -?• Mentosae Luer, sect, n
lype.M. mentosa Luer, Phytologia 39:212,1978
hty. From the Latin mentosus, “with a chin,” referring to the i
rSndirrr 6 ' 1 ? a /“ gk :, unusual - Uttle Ecuadorian spe-
' pfacehin M ^Tf y ^ WeI ^ peduncle is triquetrous which
Plate 19.
SYSTEMATCCS OP MASDEVALLIA
Plate 18. Masdevallia tubulosa Iindl.
ICONES PLEUROTH ALLIDIN ARUM
Plate 19. Masdeuallia mentosa Luer
SYSTEMATICS OF MASDEVALLIA
Masdevallia subgen. Masdevallia sect. Minutae Rchb. f. ex Woolw.,
The Genus Masdevallia sect. VI, 1896,
Type: Masdevallia minuta Iindl., Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. 12:396,1842.
Ety.: From the Latin minutus , “very small,” referring to the size of the
flowers and habit.
Syn.: Masdevallia sect. Floribundae Krzl., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 34:84,
1925.
Type: Masdevallia floribunda Lindl., Edward’s Bot. Reg. 29:Misc. 72,1843.
Ety.: From the Latin floribundus, “free-flowering,” referring to the floriferous habit of
the plant.
The species of this section, distributed from Mexico to Bolivia, are
closely allied to M. subsect. Masdevallia, but the flowers are distin¬
guished by the small, short, usually pointed tooth arising between the
middle and lower thirds of the petal from a longitudinal callus above
the labellar margin. A second flower often follows the first in many of
the species, which never occurs in M. sect. Masdevallia. The ligulate lip
is smooth at the apex, with or without a small callus. In a few excep¬
tions (e.g. Af. scabrilinguis ) the apex is verrucose.
Species: M. arangoi Luer & Escobar
M. attenuata Rchb.f.
M. chontalensis Rchb.f.
M. crescenticola Lehm. & Krzl.
M. flaveola Rchb.f.
M. floribunda Iindl.
M. geminiflora Ortiz
M. guayanensis Lindl. ex Benth.
M. gutierrezii Luer
M. herradurae Lehm. & Krzl.
M. laucheana Krzl.
M. livingstoneana Roezl & Rchb.f.
M. minuta Lindl. Plate 20
M. nicaraguae Luer
M. pescadoensis Luer & Escobar
M. plantaginea Poepp. & Endl.
M. scabrilinguis Luer
M. tubuliflora Ames
M. wendlandiana Rchb.f.
Masdevallia subgen. Masdevallia sect. Polyanthae Rchb.f., Gard.
.Chron. 1:372,1874. .
Type: Masdevallia polyantha Lind ex^ LnuU.. Orch. Lind. 6, 1846.
(Af. Schlimu Lind, ex Lindl., Orch. Lind. 5,1846.)
Ety.: From the Greek polyanthos, “many-flowered,” referring to the
inflorescence.
Syn.: Masdevallia subsect. Polyanthae <Rchb.f.) Vdtoh, Man. Orchid. PI. 5:18, 1889.
Type: Masdevallia polyantha Lind, ex Lindl.
ICONES PLEUROTHALUDINARUM
Plate 20. Masdevallia minuta Lindl.
SYSTEMATICS OF MASDEVALLIA
The majority of the species of this great section are characterized by
peduncles triangular in cross-section. In a few species the peduncle is
round, and in one or two species the peduncle varies from round to
triquetrous. The inflorescence always bears two or more flowers, simul¬
taneously or successively. The sepals are connate into a tube or cup,
sometimes the dorsal sepal free nearly to the base. The petals are cal¬
lous, but rarely produce a tooth (Af. odontopetala). The lip is divided by
lateral folds into a hypochile and an epichile that is usually verrucose.
Subsect. Alaticaules (Krzl.) Luer, stat. nov.
Lectotype here designated: Masdevallia melanoxantha Lind. & Rchb.f.,
Bonplandia 2:283, 1854.
Ety.: From the Latin alaticaulis, “with a winged stem,” referring to
the triquetrous peduncles.
Bas.: Masdevallia sect. Alaticaules Krzl., Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih. 34:105,
1925.
Lectotype here designated: Masdevallia melanoxantha Lind. & Rchb.f.
Kranzlin designated both M. melanoxantha Lind. & Rchb. f. and M. polyantha Lind.
ex Lindl. as the type of his section Alaticaules. Masdevallia polyantha is the type of
sect. Polyanthae.
This large subsection contains the majority of the species which
have peduncles triangular in cross-section. Occasional clones of Af.
cuprea, M. infracta and M. tovarensis produce peduncles round in cross-
section. The species of the subsection are widely distributed in the
Andes, only a few occurring in Brazil and none in Central America.
Species: M. aenigma Luer & Escobar
M. auropurpurea Rchb.f.
M. bicolor Poepp. & Endl. Plate 21.
M. brachyura Lehm. & Krzl.
M. brenneri Luer
M. buccinator Rchb.f.
M. calagrasalis Luer
M. cardiantha Kgr.
M. carolloi Luer & Andreetta
M. carruthersiana Lehm. & Krzl.
M. cinnamomea Rchb.f.
M. cuprea Lindl.
M. melanoxantha Rchb.f.
M. mezae Luer
M. monogona Kgr.
M navicularis Garay & Dunsterv.
Af. odontopetala Luer
M. phoenix Luer
M. pinocchio Luer & Andreetta
M. don-quijote Luer & Andreetta
Af. dunstervillei Luer
Af. echo Luer
Af. portillae Luer & Andreetta
Af. posadae Luer & Escobar
Af. prosartema Kgr.
Af. receptrix Luer & Vasquez
Af. rechingeriana Krzl.
Af. sanguinea Luer & Andreetta
Af. sceptrum Rchb.f.
Af. scitula Kgr.
Af. scobina Luer & Escobar
Af. empusa Luer
Af. excelsior Luer & Andreetta
Af. sernae Luer & Escobar
Af. sprucei Rchb.f.
Af. stenorhynchos 1
Af. guerrieroi Luer & Andreetta
Af. guttulata Rchb.f.
Af. hepatica Luer
Af. impostor Luer & Escobar
Af. infracta Lindl.
Af. isos Luer
Af. kuhniorum Luer
Af. maculata Kl. & Karst.
Af. medusa Luer & Escobar
Af. megaloglossa Luer & Escobar
Af. tovarensis Rchb.f.
Af. trochilus Lind. & Andre
Af. vargasii C. Schweinf.
M. virens Luer & Andreetta
Af. virgo-cueneae Luer & Andreetta
M. weberbaueri Schltr.
M. whiteana Luer
Af. theleura Luer
Krzl.
ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM
Plate 2L Masdevallia bicolor Poepp. & Endl.
SYSTEMATICS OP MASDEVALLIA
Subsect. Polyanthae (Rchb.f.) Veitch, Man. Orchid. Pi. 5:18,1889.
Type: Masdevallia polyantha Lind, ex Lindl., Orch. Lind. 6,1846.
(M. schlimii Iind. ex lindl., Orch. Lind. 5,1846).
This small subsection contains those species with peduncles round in
cross-section.
Species: M. curtipes Barb. Rodr.
M. discoidea Luer & Wurstle
M. lata Rchb.f.
M. menatoi Luer & Vasquez
M. oreas Luer & Vasquez
M. schlimii Lindl.Plate 22.
M. thienii Dodson
Masdevallia subgen. Masdevallia sect. Racemosae Woolw., The
Genus Masdevallia sect. IX, 1896.
TVpe: Masdevallia racemosa Lindl., Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. 15:256,
1845. „ ^ .
Ety.: From the Latin racemosus, “racemose, refemng to the
inflorescence.
This section, consisting of a single beautiful Colombian species, is set
apart from all other subgeneric taxa of the genus by the habit: a long,
creeping or ascending rhizome and a loose inflorescence that produces
several flowers simultaneously and successively. Although the flowers
“look like” they belong to M. sect. Masdevallia, the callous petals with¬
out a tooth, and the thick ligulate lip suggest a closer relationship with
M. sect. Coriaceae.
Plate 22. Masdevallia schlimii Lindl.
SYSTEMATICS OF MASDEVALUA
Plate 23. Masdevallia racemosa Lindl.
ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM
Masdevallia subgen. Masdevallia sect. Reichenbachianae Woolw.,
The Genus Masdevallia sect. X, 1896
TVpe: Masdevallia reichenbachiana Endres ex Rchb.f., Gard. Chron.
2:257,1875.
Ety.: Named in honor of Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach, renowned
orchidologist of the Hamburg Botanic Garden, son of H. G. L.
Reichenbach.
The inflorescence of the species of this section, single-flowered, two-
flowered, or successively flowered, is borne by a peduncle round in
cross-section.The sepals are connate into a tube. The petals are callous
along the lower margin without forming a tooth except in two species
(M collina and M. macrogenia), the basis for creating the two subsec¬
tions, and the lip is ligulate with a pair of low calli. In some species the
apex of the lip is minutely verrucose, suggesting some relationship with
sect. Coriaceae.
Subsect. Dentatae Luer, subsect nov.
TVpe: Masdevallia collina L.O.Wms., Amer. Orchid Soc. Bull. 11:93,
1942.
Ety.: From the Latin collinus, “of the hills,” referring to the habitat
above El Valle, Panama, where this species was discovered.
Petals dentata.
The two species brought together into this subsection are probably
not closely allied although they are characterized by similar vegetata-
tive and floral features. The petals of both species bear callous petals
with prominent, marginal or basal teeth.
Species: M. collina LO.Wms
M. macrogenia ( Arango) Luer & Escobar...Plate 24.
Subsect. Reichenbachianae (Woolw.) Luer, stat. nov.
Type: Masdevallia reichenbachiana Endres ex Rchb.f., Gard. Chron.
2:257,1875.
Bas.: Masdevallia sect. Reichenbachianae Woolw., The Genus Masdevallia sect. X,
1896.
This subsection contains all those species of the section, whether they
be one-, two- or successively flowered, with petals without a tooth.
Except for one species (M. garciae), all are native to Central America.
Species: M. calura RchbJf.
M. chasei Luer
M fulvesvem Rolfe
M.garciae Luer
M. margindla Rchb.f
rolfeana Krzl.
schroederiana Veitch .
striatella Rchb.f.
Plate 25.
SYSTEMATICS OF MASDEVALLIA 49
Plate 24. Masdevallia macrogenia (Arango) Luer & Escobar
50 ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM
Plate 25. Masdevallia schroederiana Veitch
SYSTEMATICS OF MASDEVALLIA
Masdevallia subgen. Meleagris Luer, nom. nov.
Type: Masdevallia meleagris Lindl., Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 1,
15:257,1845.
Ety.: From the Latin meleagris, “a peacock,” in allusion to the color¬
fully banded flowers.
Syn.: Rodrigoa Braas, Die Orchidee 30:203,1979.
TVpe: Masdevallia meleagris Lindl.
Ety.: Named for Don Rodrigo Escobar of Medellin, Colombia.
This subgenus of seven closely allied species, found in the western
and central cordilleras of Colombia and the mountains of Ecuador, is
characterized by a successively flowered raceme of attractive, colorful
flowers with widely spreading sepals. The ovaries of most species are
crested, and the sepals are free nearly to their bases, similar to many
species in M. subgen. Amanda. The petals are cartilaginous with a
callus along the labellar margin. The thick lip is variously shaped from
oblong to ovate. The lip is hinged beneath to the lower margin of the
extension of the column-foot, as is also sometimes the case in sect.
Amandae. The column is typical for Masdevallia.
Species: Af. alexandri Luer
M. anisomorpha Garay
Af. heteroptera Rchb.f.
M. hortensis Luer & Escobar
Af. meleagris Lindl. P1 ate 26 -
Af. parvula Schltr.
Af. segurae Luer & Escobar
Figure 3. Masdevallia heteroptera Rchb. f.
52 ICONES PLEUROTHALUDINARUM
Plate 26. Masdevallia meleagris Lindl.
SYSTEMAUCS OF MASDEVALLIA
Masevallia subgen. Pelecaniceps Luer, nom. nov.
Type: Masdevallia pelecaniceps Luer, Selbyana 3:22,1976.
Ety.: From the Latin pelecaniceps, “pelican-headed,” in allusion to the
the appearance of the flower.
Syn.: Luerella Braas, Die Orchidee 30:108.1979.
Ety.: Named for C. Luer who described this species.
This species is characterized by the single-flowered peduncle, thick,
rugose sepals without tails, callous petals subcarinate externally, and a
lip with acute, erect lateral lobes and an excavate base.
TYeated here as a monotypic subgenus, Masdevallia pelecaniceps has
no close relatives within Masdevallia, yet the morphological features
indicate that this unusual Panamanian species belongs here.
The single-flowered peduncle is borne from an annulus high on the
ramicaul as it is in M. macropus Lehm. & Krzl. and M. macrura Rchb.f.
The boxlike flower is rigid and semiclosed as in M. navicularis Garay &
Dunsterv. The sepals are rugose within as in M. trochilus Lind. &
Andre, and tailless as in M. mentosa Luer. The cartilaginous petals lack
a distinct callus on the labellar margin as in M. foetens Luer & Escobar.
The lip is perhaps most unusual with the small, erect, uncmate lateral
lobes (varying somewhat from the lateral or marginal folds typical in
subgen. Masdevallia sect.Polyanthae), and the excavate base between
incurved marginal angles as in many species of M. sect. Conaceae. 1 he
column is typical for Masdevallia.
One species: Masevallia pelecaniceps Luer.
Masdevallia subgen. Teagueia Luer, subgen nov.
TVpe: Masdevallia teaguei Luer, Selbyana 2:381, 1978.
Ety.: Named in honor of Walter Teague who first discovered the type
species.
Pedunculus in transection* rotundus. Ra cetnaeMgM tU8fl«nb«
supra basim dentifera. Labelluro crassum in hypchilium f
lium tricarinatum divisum. Pes columnae crassissimus.
The flowers of this unique Ecuadorian species, treated here as mono-
tvpic submenus are produced successively in a congested raceme borne
by P a Suncle’round in cross-section. The sepals are connate mto a
sibbous cud The callus of the thick petals is produced into a tooth
above the base The thick lip is divided into a cleft hypochile forming a
p^njf prostate lamellae, and a decurved,
Masdevallia.
.Plate 28.
One species: Masedevallia teaguei
54
ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM
Plate 27. Masdevallia pelecaniceps Luer
SYSTEMATICS OF MASDEVALLIA
Plate 28. Masdevallia teaguei Luer
ICONES PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I am grateful to Drs. Cal away H. Dodson, Robert L. Dressier, Dan H.
Nicolson and Norris H. Williams for their criticisms and suggestions.
REFERENCES
COGNIAUX, A. 1896. Martius, Flora Brasiliensis 3(4):324-337.
Dressler. R. L. 1981. The orchids: natural history and classification. Harvard Univer¬
sity Press, Cambridge.
KrAnzlin, F. 1925. Monographie der Gattungen Masdevallia, Lothiania, Scaphosepa-
lum, Cryptophoranthus & Pseudoctomeria. Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. Beih.
34:1-240.
LUER.C. A. 1983-1986. Thesaurus Masdevalliarum, series 1-7.
-1986. leones Pleurothallidinarum I. Systematics of the Pleurothallidinae (Orehida-
ceae). Monogr. Syst. Bot. Missouri Bot. Gard. 15.
PFITZER, E. 1888. Orchidaceae in Engler & Prantl, Die Naturlichen Pflanzenfamilien.
Reichenbach. H. G. 1861. Walpers Annales. Ann. Bot. Syst. 6:188-195.
Richardson, D. 1973. Some members of the Coccineae section of Masdevallia. Amer.
Orchid Soc. Bull. 42:238-243.
Stern, W. L & A. M. Pridgeon. 1984 Ramicaul, a better term for the pleurothallid
“secondary stem.” Amer. Orchid Soc. Bull. 53:397-401.
VEITCH, J. 1889. A manual of orchidaceous plants 5:14-76.
Woolward, F. 1896. The genus Masdevallia.
SYSTEMATICS OF MASDEVALLIA
INDEX TO SCIENTIFIC NAMES
;2.)
Ittipes Schltr.*
shuttleworthii 29
SYNONYMOUS EPITHETS
PLEUROTHALLIDINARUM
lEVALIJA REFERABLE TO BARBOSELLA
SMATICS OF MASDEVALUA
EPITHETS PUBUSHED IN MASDEVALUA REFERABLE TO PLEUROIHALL1S
IN MASDEVALUA REFERABLE TO SCAPHOSEPALUM
IN MASDEVALLIA REFERABLE TO TR1SETELLA
O.
tridactylites Rchb. f.
triglochin Rchb. f.
triseta Rchb. f. ex. Krzl.
I IN MASDEVALLIA REFERABLE TO ZOOTROPHION