Masdevallia goliath is a species of epiphytic orchid native to northeastern Peru and southeastern Ecuador but is cultivated as an ornamental elsewhere. It grows in nature in cloud forests at elevations over 1500 m.[2][3][4]

Masdevallia goliath
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Genus: Masdevallia
Subgenus: Masdevallia subg. Masdevallia
Section: Masdevallia sect. Coriaceae
Species:
M. goliath
Binomial name
Masdevallia goliath
Luer & Andreetta
Synonyms[1]

Regalia goliath (Luer & Andreetta) Luer

Masdevallia goliath is an epiphytic herb. Leaves are thick and leathery, narrow, up to 25 cm long. Inflorescence is a short raceme on a purple flowering stalk. Sepals are thick, dark reddish-purple, up to 30 mm long, tapering to a long narrow point. Lateral petals are up to 6 mm long, yellow with purple spots; lip up to 6 mm long, yellow-orange with red-purple spots.[2][5][6]

References

edit
  1. ^ Tropicos
  2. ^ a b Luer, Carlyle A. 1992. Three new species of Masdevallia (Orchidaceae) from South America. Novon 2:6-11.
  3. ^ Dodson, C.H. 2002. Lepanthopsis–Oliveriana. 3: 433–651. In C.H. Dodson. Native Ecuadorian Orchids. Colina, Medellin.
  4. ^ Jørgensen, P. M. & S. León-Yánez. (eds.) 1999. Catalogue of the vascular plants of Ecuador, Monographs in Systematic Botany from the Missouri Botanical Garden 75: i–viii, 1–1181. Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis.
  5. ^ photo of holotype of Masdevallia goliath at Missouri Botanical Garden
  6. ^ Luer, Carlyle. 2006. Monographs in systematic botany from the Missouri Botanical Garden 105:12. 2006.