Name: Lepanthes helicocephala Rchb.f. 
Etymology: helicocephala = snail-headed or spiral-headed — derived from the Greek words helix (spiral/coil) and kephale (head); probably refers to the spiral or screw-like arrangement of the flowers on the inflorescence.

First described: 1856 by Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach (Rchb.f.) in Xenia Orchidacea (1: 150).
Origin / Distribution: Northern and western South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela, Brazil, as well as Suriname and French Guiana).
Location / Habitat: Epiphytic, growing in moist tropical lowland to montane cloud forests at elevations of approx. 60 to 950 meters. It inhabits shaded, permanently humid areas on thin twigs and branches under warm to intermediate climatic conditions.
Description & Notes: Lepanthes helicocephala is a fascinating, mini-miniature orchid with delicate, upright shoots (ramicauls), which are enveloped by 6 to 9 microscopically ciliate lepanthiform sheaths. Each shoot bears a single, small, leathery leaf. The slender, successively blooming inflorescence develops on the back of the leaf and successively produces several tiny flowers, approx. 5 mm in size. The flowers are often intensely yellow-orange to reddish in color and exhibit the complex, delicate lip and petal structure typical of the genus.

In cultivation, this species requires partial shade to shade conditions at intermediate to warm temperatures. Since the plant has no storage organs whatsoever, the substrate must never dry out completely. It is best cared for mounted on cork with a base of moist sphagnum moss or in tiny, excellently drained net pots with a fine bark mix. Consistently high humidity of over 75–80% as well as continuous, gentle air circulation are essential to ensure vitality and prevent fungal diseases.

In vitro culture: You will receive a bottle with 4 young plants. The plants are usually already large enough to be deflashed. After opening, carefully remove the nutrient medium completely from the fine roots with lukewarm water and place the young plants on moist sphagnum or in a very fine, airy substrate. In the first few weeks, we recommend very high humidity, intermediate-warm conditions, and shade to bright, protected light. Never let the substrate dry out completely and at the same time ensure continuous gentle air movement.