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Masdevallia caudata Lindl. 1833, subgenus
Masdevallia, section Masdevallia, subsection Caudatae
syn. Masd. shuttelworthii Masdevallia caudata is the type specimen for the subsection Caudatae. The name comes from the Latin caudatus, meaning "with tails" and refers to the caudate sepals. Subsection Caudatae is distinguished by the widely spread, similarly sized sepals, which join basally to form a short sepaline tube. The petals, lip and column of this subsection all stand erect and visible in the center of the short tube. The subsection is wide spread in South America but is not found in Central America. Masd. decumana, prodigiosa, triangularis and venatoria are examples of better known members of the subsection. Masdevallia caudata is found in Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador and Peru but is most common in central Colombia and western Venezuela where it inhabits cool mountain forests. It is epiphytic on small branches so unlike the terrestrial Masdevallias, it does not have tiny root hairs on its roots and therefore needs an open mix that drains freely. It can be grown in a net pot in a mix of sphagnum moss and tree fern or mounted on tree fern. However it needs to be watered frequently and remain moist using only very low salts water. Like most Masdevallias, it prefers very dilute fertilizer and semi-shady conditions with high humidity and good air circulation. It will do best at temperatures ranging from 52 - 70°F. I grow my Masdevallias in a open topped tank in my house under lights. The house is air conditioned so the temps rarely exceed 74 degrees and the tank is cooled in the evenings by letting outside cooler air flow in through a partially opened window. The whole tank sits on top of a humidity tray, which mainly serves to catch water from the daily watering (via a sprayer). I also increase the humidity in the tank with a cool air humidifier and increase cooling and air flow by directing a fan towards the window next to the tank and bouncing the air off the window. This is not an ideal condition to say the least but I do grow a nice selection of the cool/intermediate Masdevallias using this make-shift set up. The flower of Masd. caudata is one of the nicest around. It is 4" up to 6" from dorsal sepal tip to ventral sepal tip. The plant itself is only about 3" tall. The flowers are held just above the leaves so they make a nice presentation. It flowers best through autumn and into the spring. Masdevallia caudata has been awarded eight AMs and two HCCs as well as two CCMs. Masd. caudata ‘Mark Daniels" was awarded one of the CCMs in 1996 for 18 flowers, the largest of which was 6" tall, all in a 4 ½ inch pot. That is a lot of bang for a small plant. There are 23 primary hybrids using caudata and 25 second generation hybrids, most made with Masd. Kimballiana (caudata x veitchiana). None have been awarded as highly as the parent.
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auteure:
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Marianna Max West Orange, New Jersey
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