Masdevallia ionocharis
Encyclopedia
Masdevallia ionocharis (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.
It occurs in the Andean
region, from Peru
to Bolivia
.
s at or just above the level of the leaves, which blooms in the summer with a single 2.5 cm wide flower.
in the Andean valley of Sandia, in the province of Carabaya
, Peru, at 9000 ft (2,743.2 m) elevation), where he was collecting plants
for James Veitch & Sons.
Masdevallia
Masdevallia, abbreviated Masd in horticultural trade, is a large genus of flowering plants of the Pleurothallidinae, a subtribe of the orchid family . There are over 500 species, grouped into several subgenera...
genus of orchids
Orchidaceae
The Orchidaceae, commonly referred to as the orchid family, is a morphologically diverse and widespread family of monocots in the order Asparagales. Along with the Asteraceae, it is one of the two largest families of flowering plants, with between 21,950 and 26,049 currently accepted species,...
. Its name is derived from the Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...
words ion
Ion
An ion is an atom or molecule in which the total number of electrons is not equal to the total number of protons, giving it a net positive or negative electrical charge. The name was given by physicist Michael Faraday for the substances that allow a current to pass between electrodes in a...
meaning violet
Violet (color)
As the name of a color, violet is synonymous with a bluish purple, when the word "purple" is used in the common English language sense of any color between blue and red, not including either blue or red...
and charis meaning grace.
It occurs in the Andean
Andes
The Andes is the world's longest continental mountain range. It is a continual range of highlands along the western coast of South America. This range is about long, about to wide , and of an average height of about .Along its length, the Andes is split into several ranges, which are separated...
region, from Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
to Bolivia
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
.
Description
M. ionocharis is a medium sized plant with paddle shaped leaves and flowers held on erect pedunclePeduncle (botany)
In botany, a peduncle is a stem supporting an inflorescence, or after fecundation, an infructescence.The peduncle is a stem, usually green and without leaves, though sometimes colored or supporting small leaves...
s at or just above the level of the leaves, which blooms in the summer with a single 2.5 cm wide flower.
Culture
M. ionocharis should be grown in cool temperatures. It can be grown potted in sphagnum moss, with the potting medium being kept moist.Discovery
M. ionocharis was found in 1875 by Walter DavisWalter Davis (botanist)
Walter Davis was an English plant collector, who collected in South America for James Veitch & Sons of Chelsea, London.-Early life:Davis was born at Sarson Street, now part of Amport, near Andover, Hampshire...
in the Andean valley of Sandia, in the province of Carabaya
Carabaya Province
Carabaya Province is a province of the Puno Region in Peru. The capital of the province is the city of Macusani.- Political division :The province measures and is divided into ten districts:- External links :...
, Peru, at 9000 ft (2,743.2 m) elevation), where he was collecting plants
Plant collecting
Plant collecting involves procuring live or dried plant specimens, for the purposes of research, cultivation or as a hobby.-Collection of live specimens:...
for James Veitch & Sons.
