Masdevallia, abbreviated Masd in horticultural trade, is a large genus of flowering plants of the Pleurothallidinae, a subtribe of the orchid family (Orchidaceae). There are over 500 species, grouped into several subgenera. The genus is named for Jose Masdevall (?-1801), a physician and botanist in the court of Charles III of Spain.
Sir Harry James Veitch was an eminent English horticulturist in the nineteenth century, who was the head of the family nursery business, James Veitch & Sons, based in Chelsea, London. He was instrumental in establishing the Chelsea Flower Show, which led to his being knighted for services to horticulture.
Restrepiella ophiocephala, commonly called the Snake's head restrepiella is an epiphytic orchid native to Mexico, Central America, Colombia, and Florida. The epithet ophiocephala is derived from the Greek words ὄφις, ophis (snake) and κεφαλή, kephalē (head).
Goeppertia veitchiana is a species of flowering plant in the Marantaceae family. It is endemic to Ecuador. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests.
Peter Christian Massyn Veitch was a member of the family of horticulturists who established the renowned family business Veitch Nurseries.
Gustav Wallis was a German plant collector who introduced over 1,000 plant species to Europe, many of which were named after him. He was particularly focused on orchid hunting during the Victorian orchid craze, but also was the first European collector of plants such as large-leaved Anthurium specimens that continue to be among the most sought after today.
Tuberous begonias are a group of Begonia cultivars, sometimes regarded as some of the most spectacular of the genus.
Begonia pearcei is a plant in the begonia family, Begoniaceae. It was introduced to Europe in 1864 by Richard Pearce who discovered it in the Bolivian Andes and is important in the hybridising of the Begonia × tuberhybrida begonias, the first of which appeared in 1867.
Begonia veitchii is a plant in the begonia family, Begoniaceae, which was introduced to Europe in 1866 by Richard Pearce who discovered it in the Peruvian Andes near Cusco at an elevation of from 10,000 feet (3,000 m) and 12,000 feet (3,700 m). It was named after Pearce's employers, James Veitch & Sons of Chelsea, London. It can be found today in the mountains around Machu Picchu. A later plant collector, Walter Davis, found Begonia veitchii inhabiting rocky positions by waterfalls, in company with Masdevallia veitchiana.
Richard Pearce was a British plant collector, who introduced the tuberous begonia to England, which led to the development of the hybrid begonias grown today.
Masdevallia davisii, or Davis' masdevallia, is a species of the orchid genus Masdevallia. It is also known as the orchid of the sun and was known to the Incas as qoriwaqanki – due to its similarity in form to the red Masdevallia veitchiana, known as waqanki.
Begonia davisii is a plant in the begonia family, Begoniaceae, which was used in the early days of breeding Begonia × tuberhybrida cultivars.
Walter Davis was an English plant collector, who collected in South America for James Veitch & Sons of Chelsea, London.
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 and charis meaning grace.
Miltoniopsis vexillaria is a species of epiphytic orchid in the genus Miltoniopsis.
Joseph Henry Chesterton was a British plant collector who was sent by James Veitch & Sons to search for orchids in South America with much success.
Oncidium alexandrae, synonyms including Odontoglossum crispum, is an epiphytic orchid in the genus Oncidium. Known as the curled odontoglossum, it is considered by many to be the most beautiful orchid of all but is also one of the most difficult to grow.
Wilhelm (Guillermo) Kalbreyer (1847–1912) was a German plant collector who was sent by James Veitch & Sons of Chelsea, London to collect new plants in West Africa and South America.
Gastrochilus distichus is a small species of orchid and pendant growing epiphyte. It is known by the common name distichous gastrochilus. It is found in Himalayas of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Assam, Sikkim, Tibet and Yunnan. It grows in the shade on moss covered rainforest at elevations of 1520–2700 m.
Cardiocrinum giganteum, the giant Himalayan lily, is the largest species of any of the lily plants, growing up to 3.5 metres high. It is found in the Himalayas, China and Myanmar (Burma).
