Masdevallia laucheanaThis is a very nice and fragrant little Masdevallia endemic to Costa Rica where it grows in primary forests from 950 to 1500 meters. The description of Masdevallia laucheana on IOSPE claim that is is supposed to smell like vanilla, a good friend of mine swears that his  smells just like coconut, but mine definitely has a very distinct Lemon Pledge (furniture wax) scent. The scent discrepancies might be culture related, I know that my friend grows his intermediate while I grow mine cool, but who knows for sure…

Kränzlin, the botanical collector who described Masdevallia laucheana named it after his friend Lauche, the Director of Vienna Botanical Garden in the 1800’s. …and according to Luer we are actually supposed to call this one Acinopetala laucheana now. Either way, it is a lovely plant and it is turning out to be quite a vigorous bloomer – and I love it.

Masdevallia laucheanaMasdevallia laucheana