Medium sized epiphyte. Pseudobulbs oblong, to 7 cm long, compressed. Leaves 2, strap-like, to 15 cm long, to 2 cm wide. Flowers 1 or 2, to 10 cm wide, mostly white, pink or purple. Sepals lanceolate. Petals lanceolate, similar to sepals. Labellum obovate to almost round, rounded or pointed at tip, purplish; autumn.

Brazil.

var. spectabilis has white sepals and petals that may be pinkish at the base.

var. moreliana (Lindl.) Lindl. has deep purplish sepals and petals.

M. flavescens Lindl. from Brazil is a robust epiphyte with inflorescences of 6?12 pale yellowish flowers, each with a long, narrow labellum that is red-spotted near the base.

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.