Name: Lepanthes thysanota Luer & Hirtz
Etymology: thysanota = fringed or having fringes (from the Greek thysanotos); the name refers to the finely fringed edges of the floral organs (petals and sepals).
First described: In 1987 by Carlyle August Luer and Alexander Charles Hirtz.
Origin / Distribution: Endemic to Ecuador.
Location / Habitat: Grows epiphytically in humid, cool montane cloud forests along the eastern Andes at elevations of approximately 1,500 to 2,100 meters. After deflasking, it requires cool to intermediate conditions, shaded to partially shaded light (no direct sun), consistently high humidity of 75–85%, and continuous, gentle air circulation.
Description & Notes: Lepanthes thysanota is an exquisite miniature orchid, rarely offered for sale and suited to specialist plant collectors. It produces delicate, bright green leaves, with a succession of intricate single flowers appearing on their upper surfaces. The most distinctive botanical feature of this species is the fine cilia or fringe-like hairs along the edges of the floral segments, which give the flowers an exceptionally detailed texture. The colors typically range from translucent yellow and orange to an intense red central marking. Originating in the humid Andean cloud forests, it is ideally suited to long-term cultivation in shaded terrariums, rainforest vitrines, or bottle gardens.

In vitro culture: You will receive a flask containing 4 young plants. The plants are usually already large enough to be deflasked. After opening, remove the nutrient medium from the very fine roots with particular care using lukewarm water, then place the young plants on moist sphagnum or in a very fine, airy substrate that retains a little moisture. For the first few weeks, we recommend very high humidity, cool to intermediate conditions, protected light, and gentle, continuous air movement. Keep consistently slightly moist and avoid allowing it to dry out completely.