A botanical species of South and Central American origin, native to Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, and Peru, it belongs to the subgenus Nidificia Luer 2000. Valid synonyms are Buccella nidifica (Rchb.f.) Luer 2006 Masdevallia cyathogastra Schltr. 1918; Masdevallia tenuicauda Schltr. 1923. Sometimes, M. ventricosa is also presented as a synonym for the nidifica species, but it is found only in Ecuador, having yellow flowers with much shorter and slightly thicker sepal appendages, and the epichile is narrowly triangular rather than ovate or flabellate.
The genus Masdevallia was named in honor of the Spanish doctor Jose Masdeval, a renowned botanist during the reign of King Charles III of Spain.
The appearance of this taxon is miniature, making it exceptionally suitable for terrarium-type arrangements. It prefers varied climates, from cool to warm, and inhabits lithophytic or epiphytic stations on the thin branches of trees in moist mountain forests, at altitudes between 450 - 2500 m. This wide altitudinal range likely contributes to the high color variability of this species.
The short ramicauls are basally covered with 2 - 3 tubular bracts and bear solitary, elliptic-lanceolate leaves about 5 cm long at the apex. Inflorescences appear on curved stems 1.5 to 5 cm long, solitary, originating from the base of the ramicauls, where unique flowers emerge at the upper level of the leaf tips, 1.5 cm wide and 1.5 cm long, with sepals up to 5 cm long, including filiform appendages - which open biannually, during summer and winter. The corolla's coloration is impressive, relatively translucent, with known varieties in white, yellow, red, or combinations of these colors.
The recommended light radiation level for this species will be between 6000 - 16000 lux, indicating a preference for shaded to moderately lit locations.
Growth temperature will range between 12 and 26 ℃, ensuring constant humidity and ventilation.
Watering should preferably be done daily, as they prefer consistently moist substrates.
It is recommended to maintain constant environmental conditions, without variations and without rest periods.
Since species of the genus Masdevallia do not have storage organs such as pseudobulbs or thickened leaves and roots, watering and fertilizing must follow a regular pattern and be administered at a constant frequency.