Name: Lepanthes auriculata Luer

Etymology: The genus name Lepanthes is derived from the Greek lepis ("scale") and anthos ("flower") and refers to the scale-like flowers. The epithet auriculata means "eared" and describes the shape of certain floral parts.

First description: The species was described in 1983 by Carlyle A. Luer.

Origin / Habitat: Western Colombia to Ecuador and Bolivia, as an epiphytic miniature orchid in moist tropical montane forests. In Colombia, it is known from the Andes at approximately 2250 m.

Description & Care: Small, clump-forming Lepanthes with fine shoots and delicate, characteristically shaped flowers. We cultivate it in shade to bright indirect light, with high humidity and good air circulation. We keep the substrate evenly moist and avoid allowing it to dry out completely. We keep it cool, at approximately 12–20 °C.