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Any of numerous small epiphytic orchids of the genus Masdevallia, native to cool mountainous regions of South America and cultivated elsewhere as ornamentals. Also (in form Masdevallia): the genus itself.
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in Curtis's Botanical Magazine. From scientific Latin Masdevallia from the name of Jose Masdevall (d. 1801), Spanish physician and botanist + -ia.