Masdevallia barlaeana
 
Found in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru on exposed, rocky slopes with grass and small shrubs at elevations of of 2200 to 3100 meters as a miniature sized, caespitose, cold growing lithophytic species with a ramicaul that is enveloped basally by several, short, tubular sheaths with a single, apical, oblanceolate, petiolate, long attenuate leaf that is minutely tridentate at the apex and blooms in the summer and fall with a slender, erect, 10" [25 cm] long, single flowered inflorescence with lanceolate, acuminate floral bracts that are half the length of the ovary holding the campanulate flower above the leaves.
 
Masdevallia, abbreviated Masd in horticultural trade, is a large genus of flowering plants of the Pleurothallidinae, a subtribe of the orchid family (Orchidaceae). 
 
These plants are found from Mexico to southern Brazil, but mostly in the higher regions (2,500-4,000 m) of the Andes of Ecuador and Colombia, Peru and Bolivia.
 
 They may be epiphytes, terrestrials or growing as lithophytes on damp rocks.
 
The species are sensitive to inappropriate cultural conditions and will show signs of stress by leaf spotting or dropping. The rhizome should remain at the surface of the medium in order to prevent rot.
 
Most of these plants are from high altitude cloud forests and require very cool conditions and abundant moisture throughout the year. They cannot tolerate dryness, low humidity, or excessive temperatures. Many members of this genus from very high altitude cloud forests . The plant should be kept cool and moist all the time.
 
The plants should be provided with rain water or distilled water or a very pure water source. The medium should always remain moist as the plants do not have any significant storage structures like most orchids.
 
photo : CC 2.0 Masdevallia barlaeana,Image come from, Page: http://www.peripatus.gen.nz/Gallery/Mas.html The text: {{cc-by-2.0}} Downloaded from : http://www.peripatus.gen.nz/Gallery/Mas.html