Name: Pleurothallis phymatodea Luer

Synonyms: Acronia phymatodea, Zosterophyllanthos phymatodeus.

Etymology: phymatodea refers to the warty structure of the floral parts.

First description: Carlyle A. Luer described the species in 1976.

Origin / Habitat: Ecuador, particularly Tungurahua and Zamora-Chinchipe, in humid mountain forests at an altitude of about 600–1800 m. It grows epiphytically and occurs in nature in shady, humid locations.

Description & Notes: Small, clump-forming Pleurothallis with single, thick, leathery leaves. The dark purple to nearly black-looking flowers are about 4 mm in size. In our care, it grows in shade to partial shade, with high humidity and good air circulation. We cultivate it in warm to intermediate conditions, at approximately 16–30 °C.