Name: Stelis ciliaris Lindl.

Synonyms: Apatostelis ciliaris, Stelis atropurpurea, Stelis confusa, Stelis fimbriata.

Etymology: ciliaris means "ciliate" and refers to the distinctly ciliated sepals.

Original description: John Lindley described the species in 1837.

Origin / Habitat: From Mexico through Central America to Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Brazil. It grows epiphytically in humid lowland and premontane forests from sea level up to about 1100 m, usually in filtered light.

Description & notes: Small, clump-forming Stelis with leathery, upright leaves and long, loose inflorescences. The purple, ciliated flowers are about 1 cm in size. In our care, it grows in bright to semi-shaded conditions with high humidity and good air circulation. We cultivate it warm, at about 18–28 °C.