This dramatic flower belongs to Masdevallia don quijote. This species is quite a small plant (12cm leaves) but has very large flowers on long stems. It is rather whimsically named after the character Don Quixote in the novel byMiguel de Cervantes because the dorsal sepal looks like a lance and the lateral sepals like the bow legs of the old knight.

The species is endemic to Ecuador where it is found between 1000 and 1700m in damp forest. Flower stems produce a succession of flowers over a long period so dont cut stems until they finally turn brown.