This small growing Masdevallia is endemic to Bolivia where it grows in cool wet mountain forests at 1800 to 2000m.
Masdevallia exquisitor is closely related to Masdevallia paivaeana (below) and but is destinguished by its larger paler flowers, the distinct red blotch at the centre of the flowers, longer tails and a lot less hairs on the sepals.
Both species are vigorous and floriferous plants that flourish in our cloud forests greenhouse (min 12C) and also grow well indoors on a shady windowsill.