Name: Masdevallia sanguinea Luer & Andreetta
Synonym: Alaticaulia sanguinea (Luer & Andreetta) Luer
Etymology: sanguinea derives from the Latin word for “blood-red” and directly refers to the intense deep-red to purple coloration of the flowers.

First described: In 1980 by Carlyle August Luer and Father Ángel Andreetta in “Phytologia.”
Origin / Distribution:
Ecuador (endemic to the humid eastern slopes of the Andes, particularly in Morona-Santiago Province).
Location / Habitat:
An epiphyte growing in humid premontane to montane cloud forests at elevations of approximately 600 to 1,600 m. It inhabits shady, moss-rich areas with very high humidity year-round.
Description & Notes:
Masdevallia sanguinea belongs to section Alaticaules and is a compact to medium-sized, clump-forming species without pseudobulbs. It has erect, sturdy, leathery leaves with an oblong-obovate shape. The inflorescence is erect, characteristically triangular in cross-section, and produces several waxy flowers in succession. The sepals are fused into a short tube and end in elegant, threadlike yellow-green tips (tails), while the fleshy main part of the flower is suffused with deep, glossy blood-red to dark purple.

In cultivation, this species requires intermediate to cool conditions and, because its habitat is not exclusively high-Andean, it is often a touch more tolerant of moderate warm spells than its extremely cold-loving relatives. Nevertheless, a shady location, consistently high humidity (over 75%), and steady air circulation are essential. The substrate (fine bark or sphagnum moss) should never dry out completely, but must drain excellently. Using lime-free water protects the fine roots from salt damage.