Name: Comparettia ignea P.Ortiz

Etymology: ignea means “fiery” and refers to the intense flower coloration.

First description: Pedro Ortiz Valdivieso described the species in 1993.

Origin / Habitat: Antioquia, Colombia, in the Andes at an elevation of about 1450–1600 m. It grows epiphytically in humid mountain forests.

Description & Notes: A small epiphytic orchid with pseudobulbs and strikingly fiery red to orange flowers. In our collection, it grows in bright to partially shaded conditions, with high humidity and good air circulation. We grow it under intermediate conditions, at about 16–24 °C, and avoid prolonged dry spells.