Masdevallia dalessandroi

Named after its discoverer, Dennis D'alessandro, this Masdevallia species is a small jewel.  The species is from Ecuador and belongs to the section Masdevallia, the section to which many of the more colorful and spectacular species belong.  Though not as spectacular as some, the flowers have a quiet beauty of their own.  The plant is only 5 cm tall and the flowers are as tall as the plant and are carried on erect stems which hold them just above the leaves.