Masdevallia ionocharis

Graceful violet-blue masdevallia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Tribe: Epidendreae
Subtribe: Pleurothallidinae
Genus: Masdevallia
Species: M. ionocharis
Binomial name
Masdevallia ionocharis
Rchb.f. 1875

Masdevallia ionocharis (graceful violet-blue masdevallia) is an epiphytic orchid in the Masdevallia genus of orchids. Its name is derived from the Greek words ion meaning violet[1] and charis meaning grace.[2]

It occurs in the Andean region, from Peru to Bolivia.

Description

M. ionocharis is a medium sized plant with paddle shaped leaves and flowers held on erect peduncles at or just above the level of the leaves, which blooms in the summer with a single 2.5 cm wide flower.

Culture

M. ionocharis should be grown in cool temperatures. It can be grown potted in sphagnum moss, with the potting medium being kept moist.

Discovery

M. ionocharis was found in 1875 by Walter Davis in the Andean valley of Sandia, in the province of Carabaya, Peru, at 9,000 ft (2,700 m) elevation), where he was collecting plants for James Veitch & Sons.[3]

References

  1. ↑ The American Violet Society – Violet Traditions
  2. ↑ Greek Lexicon – Charis
  3. ↑ James Herbert Veitch (2006). Hortus Veitchii (reprint ed.). Caradoc Doy. p. 180. ISBN 0-9553515-0-2.
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