Here is one that has not been on Simon’s Orchid of the day, Masdevallia Lata.  It is not a Writhlington orchid but one from my own collection and originates from Costa Rica and Southwestern Panama.

The name Masdevallia comes from Jose Masdevall who was an 18th century botanist and physician in the court of Charles 3rd of Spain.

Masdevallia lata is said to be introduced to Britain by the Veitchi Nursery.  The nursery obtained the orchid from the plant hunter Gottlieb Zahn who visited Central America between 1870 – 1873.  Unfortunately Mr Zahn suffered an untimely death on his travels by falling into a stream.