Masdevallia goliath

Masdevallia goliath
Scientific 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 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 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

1. Tropicos
2. 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.