Masdevallia veitchiana
The largest-flowered Masdevallia, with iridescent orange flowers. It is endemic to the high Andes of southern Peru around Cusco and Machu Picchu. Unlike most masdevallias, it grows on open, sunny, rocky grass slopes at roughly 2200–4000 m, rooted in humus-filled crevices with its leaves sheltered by grass. It needs cool nights year round, bright light, constant moisture and good airflow, and suffers in warm summer nights.
Where it grows wild
A terrestrial, sometimes lithophytic orchid on steep rocky slopes covered with grasses and shrubs, rooted in humus-filled rock crevices. The plants are exposed to strong high-altitude sun, but the leaves are partly shaded and kept moist by surrounding grass. It is well known from the slopes around the Inca ruins at Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu.
Literature gives about 2000–4000 m: 2200–2700 m at Machu Picchu and 3350–3950 m near Cusco. The measured records with elevations run from 2100 to 3105 m (median 3102 m).
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More Masdevallia
Profiles are drafts built from measured range and climate and from published sources; each section carries its own confidence in the app.