Medium sized terrestrial or epiphyte. Pseudobulbs cylindrical, to 6 cm long, compressed, well spaced. Leaves solitary, strap-like, to 25 cm long, to 2.5 cm wide. Flowers 1 (2?3) around each pseudobulb, to 2.5 cm wide, yellow to blood red, labellum callus dark red; much of year. Sepals similar, ovate, partly spreading, rounded at tip. Petals similar to sepals, forward-pointing. Labellum entire, tongueshaped, curved under at tip.

Mexico and C America.

M. sophronitis (Rchb. f.) Garay from Venezuela is a dwarf epiphyte with small 1-leaved pseudobulbs and small, solitary, mostly orange-red flowers on very short stalks.

Source: Jeanes, J. (2005). Orchidaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press. (as Maxillaria variabilis)