Meiracyllium wendlandii
Named after Wendland, a German orchid collector in the 1800s, this miniature plant is one of only two species in the genus Meiracyllium the other being M. trinuasutum. The two are often confused with one another, but I have both and when placed alongside each other they are noticeably different.
Since it is found in Mexico and Guatemala at altitudes of 600 to 1400 metres on mossy trees and rocks, I grow mine under intermediate-warm conditions in humid shade with good air movement, providing plenty of water in the Summer when it is actively growing, but keeping it warmer, drier and brighter in the Winter.
Meiracyllium wendlandii does not have pseudobulbs, but advances on short, ascending stems covered in thin, brown, papery bracts, and usually several stems are produced each season. My plant grew six leads last season with only one failing to develop an inflorescence (four are shown with the fifth one hidden behind the upper leaves). Roots are formed beneath the advancing stem and each stem terminates in a single, stout, fleshy, mid-green leaf which is about 4.5 cms long. The image below of my plant shows leaves that have a purplish tinge, and this is probably caused by the extra light that I provide them during the Winter growth period, and is not unusual for this species.
Inflorescences are produced in mid-late Spring, and each carries one to three fragrant flowers that arise at the junction between the mature leaf and stem. They are about 3 cms long and are shorter than the leaves. Flowers are a bright violet-purple, are generally about 2.5 cms across, and are short-lived.
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