Mexipedium

This species was initially described as Phragmipedium xerophyticum by Soto Arenas, Salazar & Hágsater in 1990, but transferred to its own genus by Albert & Chase in 1992, in part based on results from DNA analysis. A small number of plants were removed for propagation in case plant hunters eradicated the wild stock. Plants are now available as propagules. ==Description and habitat==

This is a lithophytic orchid, growing on cliffs, shielded from the sun, at an elevation of . But it grows as well on rocks or in the detritus in crevasses. Its growth form is unusual in that it tends to spread by runners, offset from the parent plant by several centimeters. The silvery-green leaves are small, stiff and semi-erect. The tiny white-pink flowers show a shieldlike, pinkish staminode and a slipper-shaped lip. The curved petals are scythe-shaped. Inflorescences are multifloral and branched. File:Mexipedium xerophyticum Orchi 010.jpg|Plant File:Mexipedium xerophyticum Orchi 038.jpg|Leaves File:Mexipedium xerophyticum Orchi 008 (cropped).jpg|Flower ==References==