Masdevallia veitchiana

Masdevallia veitchiana
Masdevallia veitchiana flowers
Peru, Machu Picchu
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Orchidaceae
Subfamily: Epidendroideae
Genus: Masdevallia
Subgenus: Masdevallia subg. Masdevallia
Section: Masdevallia sect. Masdevallia
Subsection: Masdevallia subsect. Coccineae
Species:
M. veitchiana
Binomial name
Masdevallia veitchiana

Masdevallia veitchiana, (pronounced "veech-e-anna") also known as Veitch's masdevallia or king of the masdevallias, is an orchid species of the genus Masdevallia.

The plant is found in the wild near Machu Picchu and nearby areas in Peru, where it is known as gallo-gallo, meaning "rooster" after the rooster-like red comb, crest and wattles of the flower.[1] The plant was named in honour of Harry Veitch, of the Veitch Nurseries family, by whose plant-hunters it was discovered in 1867,[2] and who imported, cultivated, and first flowered this species.[3]

Long considered the national treasure of Peru,[4] it is rumoured to have been cultivated by the Incas centuries ago, who called the plant waqanki.[5]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Borders was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Perlite was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Lynn O'Shaughnessy. "Masdevallia veitchiana". pleurothallids.com. Archived from the original on 10 June 2008. Retrieved 11 October 2008.
  4. ^ "Masdevallia Veitchiana". Cal Orchid. Archived from the original on 7 January 2009. Retrieved 11 October 2008.
  5. ^ David E. Bennett Jr. "Peruvian Orchids in Danger – Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary". rumbosonline.com. Retrieved 16 November 2008.