Name: Lepanthes tracheia Rchb.f.

Synonym: Lepanthes caucana Schltr.

Etymology: The specific epithet tracheia is derived from Greek and means “rough” or “uneven”.

First described: 1886 by Heinrich Gustav Reichenbach.

Origin/distribution: From Venezuela and Colombia through Ecuador to Peru.

Location/habitat: Epiphytic in very moist cloud and mountain forests of the Andes, at approximately 1,000–2,000 m above sea level. Intermediate to cool conditions of approximately 12–22 °C, high humidity, filtered light and very good air circulation are suitable.

Description and notes: This clump-forming species has slender ramicaules with lepanthiform sheaths and one firm elliptical leaf each. Short inflorescences appear behind or above the leaf and successively produce several tiny, complexly structured flowers. We recommend a mounted culture with a layer of moss or a very fine, airy substrate. Keep evenly slightly moist year-round, but avoid waterlogging.