Name: Masdevallia rolfeana Kraenzl.

Synonyms: Reichantha rolfeana (Kraenzl.) Luer

Etymology: The genus name Masdevallia honors the Spanish physician and botanist José Masdeval. The specific epithet rolfeana commemorates the British orchid specialist Robert Allen Rolfe.

First description: In 1891 by Friedrich Wilhelm Ludwig Kraenzlin in Gardeners’ Chronicle, Series 3, Volume 9, page 488.

Origin/Distribution: Costa Rica.

Habitat: An epiphytic species of moist tropical forest. We grow it in cool to intermediate conditions at approximately 14–24 °C, with cooler nights, high humidity, filtered light, and good air movement. The growing medium should be fine, airy, and moisture-retentive, and should remain evenly and slightly moist.

Description and notes: The plant grows compactly and produces individual, leathery leaves on short stems. The flowers, typical of Masdevallia, have fused sepals with long, tapering tips; their warm yellowish to reddish-brown hues can vary from plant to plant. We recommend soft water and regular, dilute fertilization during growth. Heat, stagnant air, and roots drying out completely should be avoided; the species does not require a pronounced rest period.