We have a new species for 365 days this morning with this intense red flowered masdevallia.

Masdevallia barlaeana is found from Colombia to Peru at high altitude (2200-3100m) as a lithophyte on rocky slopes – a similar habitat as that of Masdevallia veitchiana. The species is smaller growing and smaller flowered than its close relative Masdevallia coccinea but is a rewarding species to grow. We find that to reflect the natural habitat plants grow best cool but bright – which can be tricky in the summer – but the species is well worth the challenge.

The plant shown is flowering in a 3cm pot which shows the smaller dimensions of the plant compared to Masdevallia coccinea.

In common with most other red and orange masdevallias the species is pollinated by humming birds.