For a second day running we have a small growing Masdevallia and this one is astonishing. Several Masdevallia species have very bright flowers but M. lucernula must be our brightest species and with its scarlet tubular flowers positively glowing against its dark green leaves.

The name means little lantern which a great name to reference the shape and the colour of the flowers.

Masdevallia lucernula is found in very cool Peruvian cloud forests at around 2100m where it is pollinated by humming birds. We find the species challenging to grow well as it hates high temperatures and loses leaves every summer. It looks great at this time of year with fresh winter growth. The top photo shows this year with seven flowers and buds which is a good progress on last year.