Masdevallia ionocharis

Masdevallia ionocharis, the 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]

Masdevallia ionocharis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Genus: Masdevallia
Species:
M. ionocharis
Binomial name
Masdevallia ionocharis
Rchb.f. 1875

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

Description

Masdevallia 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.

Cultivation

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

Discovery

Masdevallia 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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