This pretty little Masdevallia species grows close to yeaterday’s orchid of the day, Masdevallia pyxis.

Masdevallia paiveana is native to Peru and Bolivia where it is found as an epiphyte in woodland around 2500m altitude.

This clone forms a neat little plant with 7cm leaves and attractive flowers produced on and off throughout the year. The flowers are covered in fine hairs which make them well worth a closer look.

We have a second clone of Masdevallia paiveana that is even more hairy but with otherwise identical flowers (below)

This clone is a little unruly as successive leaves are produced a few cm from the previous one giving it a scrambling habit but it is a strong grower and soon forms a large plant.We find that the first clone does well in a pot or a basket where as the second clone does much better in a basket to suit its scrambling habit.