This is a tiny thing, the plant only 3 cm tall, the flower spikes 5 cm long, and the tiny heads of flowers only a few millimeters across. It is from Columbia and is named after an orchid enthusiast from that country. The genus Platystele belongs to the group of orchids known as Pleurothallids and is related to Masdevallia.
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Maxillaria or Ornithidium sophronitis is a small rambling plant with brightly colored flowers. The little pseudobulbs are 2cm, the growths 6cm and the flowers 1.5cm. The plant is native to Venezuela and Colombia and prefers cool temperatures. It can be grown on a mount or in a pot and is easy to grow but sometimes reluctant to bloom. Usually, however, higher light will induce blooming.
The common name of this species, if translated, would be "Small-flowered Restrepia," a fitting name for this species since the flowers are small in comparison to other species in the genus, especially in relation to the rather large plant. The flowers are 1.5 cm and the plant 20 cm tall. The flowers bloom on the underside of the leaves which makes them even more difficult to appreciate. I did not even realize the plant was in bloom until I moved several other plants next to it. The species is from Columbia and Ecuador and likes cool temperatures and good humidity.
