Finding
SITF confirms this plant as Masdevallia merinoi (Nov 2025). A description and drawing of the species may be found on-line on epidendra.com at https://epidendra.com/taxones/Masdevallia/Masdevallia%20merinoi/Masdevallia%20merinoi%20PROT.pdf which matches this plant. Although the flower measurements may be a little small, the callous on the petal lower half and the pair of calli on the lip can be clearly seen which match the description of this species. Also, the type drawing by Carl Luer and a photo of M. merinoi can be seen on the IOSPE website.
Overall Length Of Growth Cane: 4.1cm
Number Of Leaves Per Growth Or Cane: 1
Leaf Length: 3.6cm
Leaf Width: 0.7 cm
Leaf Margin: entire
Leaf Shape: lanceolate
Leaf Petiole Length: 1.6cm
Pseudobulb Length: 0.5cm
Pseudobulb Width: 0.1cm
Pseudobulb Margin: cylindrical
Pseudobulb Distance: adjacent
Pseudobulb Root Tip: green
Inflorescence Overall Length: 9.2cm
Inflorescence Arrangement: solitary
Inflorescence Dist Base To Bud: 6.0cm
Inflorescence Dist Bet Flowers: n/a
Inflorescence Dist To Sepal: 0.9 cm to base of sepals, 0.6 cm to ovary
Floral Bracts Length: 0.4cm
Floral Bracts Width: 0.1cm
Ovary Length: 0.15cm
Ovary Width: 0.3cm
Ovary Shape: conical, longitudinal ridges
Ovary Color: green
Ovary Texture: glabrous, ridged
Flower Natural Spread Length: 3.7
Flower Natural Spread Width: 2.2
Dorsal Sepal Length: 2.3
Dorsal Sepal Width: 0.7
Dorsal Sepal Cauda Length: 1.9
Dorsal Sepal Cauda Width: 0.1
Lateral Sepals Length: 2.3
Lateral Sepals Width: 0.9
Lateral Sepals Caudae Length: 0.7
Lateral Sepals Caudae Width: 0.1
Petals Width: 0.15
Judging Center: Northeast
Award Number: 20254887
Award Date: August 23, 2025
Awarded As: CHM
Two delicate, charming flowers and two buds on four suberect inflorescences to 5.3-cm, borne on a miniature plant of 46 growths, grown in a 4.5 cm plastic pot; leaves lanceolate, coriaceous, to 0.8 cm x 2.5 cm, margins entire; sepals white, golden yellow basally, overlaid fine red-purple venation; caudae to 1.6cm, yellow flushed rose; petals minute, linear-triangular, translucent white; lip oblong, apex rounded, white, overlaid fine red-purple venation; substance light; texture crystalline; commended for the presentation of disproportionately large flowers on a very compact plant.parental plant from peruflora
