Name: Lepanthes calodictyon Hook.

Synonyms: Stelis calodyction Spruce; Lepanthes calodictyon f. ivanoflava O.Gruss

Etymology: The genus name Lepanthes is derived from the Greek words lepis, meaning “scale,” and anthos, meaning “flower,” and refers to the small, scale-like floral structures. The specific epithet calodictyon roughly means “beautifully netted” and refers to the striking net-like pattern on the leaves.

First description: In 1861 by William Jackson Hooker in Botanical Magazine 87, plate 5259.

Origin/Distribution: Western Colombia to western Ecuador.

Location/Habitat: An epiphytic miniature orchid from humid tropical forests, where it grows on moss-covered branches and trunks. We recommend bright, consistently filtered light, very high humidity, and gentle, continuous air movement. Intermediate to warm temperatures of about 18–26 °C are favorable; prolonged periods of heat should occur only with very high humidity and good ventilation.

Description and Notes: Particularly characteristic are the small, rounded to broadly elliptic leaves with their contrasting, net-like venation. The tiny, finely segmented flowers appear successively on short inflorescences and, under good conditions, may bloom repeatedly from the same inflorescence. We grow the species on a moisture-retentive mount or in very fine, airy sphagnum. The fine roots must never dry out completely, while stagnant moisture should be avoided. Old inflorescences should only be removed once they have clearly dried up.