About one dozen, see text Masdevallia, abbreviated Masd in horticultural trade, is a large genus of flowering plants of the Pleurothallidinae, a subtribe of the orchid family (Orchidaceae).

These plants are found from Mexico to southern Brazil, but mostly in the higher regions (2,500-4,000 m ASL) of the Andes of Ecuador and Colombia, Peru and Bolivia.

They can generally be grown in pots with sphagnum or seedling grade wood chips although a few species produce descending inflorescences and are best accommodated in baskets.

Most of these plants are from high altitude cloud forests and require very cool conditions and abundant moisture throughout the year.

They will simply drop all their leaves and suddenly collapse if allowed to dry completely or are exposed to high temperatures.