Epiphytic, sympodial plants rather small or medium size, about 10 to 35 cm long. Rhizome short with several long, fleshy, whitish roots, 3.5–7 mm diameter. Stem 2–13 cm long, 1 to 11 leaves. Leaves congested, relatively thick, green; leafsheath conduplicate, 3–12 cm long, 12–25 mm wide, oblong to narrowly elliptic, articulated, acuminate, with minutely dentate margins. Up to two reproductive branches (inflorescences) per plant and up to two flowers in anthesis per inflorescence at the same time. Inflorescence 1–7- flowered, rachis 4–24 cm long, triangular axis compressed in small individuals and extended in large individuals, ascendant or arcuate, wings nearly 1.5 mm wide. Flowers 37–65 mm in diameter, nonresupinate. Floral bracts 12–20 mm long, conduplicate, cymbiform, acuminate, keeled outside. Dorsal sepal 15–28 mm long, 6–11 mm wide; ovate to ligulate-ovate, acuminate, thin, keeled outside, 3- or 5-nerved, light green to yellow-green with light brown nerves; lateral sepals slightly shorter, narrower and bowed. Petals 19–34 mm long, 16–28 mm wide, rhombic-ovate to almost flabellate, obtuse to short-acuminate, oblique, 12ndash;16-nerved with few dark redbrown reticulations; red-brown trichomes present at the base of the inner surface. Lip 19–35 mm long, 19–43 mm wide, deltoid-suborbicular to reniform-obtuse, semi-elliptic transversely, convex in the centre, 27–33-nerved, covered by erected brown hairs at the base; lip and petals bearing papillate cells on their surface, margins papillate; base of lip and petals fleshy and brown. Column compact 2.5–3.5 mm long, glabrous; rostellum 5–7 mm, thin, elongated. Pollinarium with 4 yellow pollinia, first pair obovoid, second pair ovoid; anther-cap yellowish; stipe 59–71 mm long, yellow, winged, flattened, keeled; caudicle developed, yellowish; viscidium 5.6–7.3 mm long, red-brown, hook-like, with sticky inner surface. Ovary 25–40 mm long, pedicellate, triangularwinged in cross-section.

Distribution and habitat. — The species had only been recorded near to the town of Marcapata in the Araza river (before Marcapata river) basin (Quispicanchis province). However, it was recently discovered near to the town of Quico (Nauray 3711, CUZ) in the Queros river basin (Paucartambo province). Thus T. peruvianus is distributed in Quispicanchisand Paucartambo provinces in the Dept. of Cusco from 2600 to 3200 m, in the basin slopes. It grows isolated or in groups due to its growth form and several ramets can be found on a single tree. It can be found in the cloud forests of west Andes on trees, shrubs and bamboo-like grasses, associated with mosses, near to roads and trails in disturbed or sun-exposed areas. Its habitat is currently severely affected by deforestation, livestock, agriculture expansion and the Inter-oceanic (Peru-Brazil) highway. Small patches and strong dry-seasons also seem to be affecting the populations of T. peruvianus. Its conservation status has been assessed as critically endangered (Roque & León, 2006).

Ecology. — Plants are epiphytic, growing in disturbed and secondary forests. It can be found associated to trees and shrubs such as Hesperomeles sp. (Rosaceae), Polylepis sp. (Rosaceae), Duranta sp. (Verbenaceae), Senna sp. (Fabaceae). As pointed out by earlier authors (Dodson, 1962; Van der Pijl & Dodson, 1966; Christensen, 1994; Van der Cingel, 2001) Telipogon is pollinated by male flies of Tachinidae family. A detailed description on the pollination will be presented elsewhere. Flowers of T. peruvianus are long-living; flowering occurs during the dry-season, from June to October, with a peak in August. Fruits are commonly found in the forest. Several ramets may be found in a solely tree due to their sympodial growth.

Taxonomical notes. — Hashimoto (1990) points out that this species presents two pollinia, however all examined specimens present a pollinarium with four-pollinia. The first pair of pollinia is much larger than the second pair. The caudicle corresponds to Hashimoto's “intermediary tissue” and it is attaching the 4 pollinia to the stipe, it is developed and yellow. The rostellum is always facing up, and not bent as it is shown in Hashimoto (1990).

The morphologic variation observed seems to be related to the plant age. Younger plants seem to have fewer and smaller organs (leaves, flowers, etc.) than older plants. However, the species is easily to identify due to the fact that its flower morphology is always conserved. Two floral characteristics are distinctive: (a) this species lacks bristles on the column and a conspicuous callus; and (b) the white area with dark redbrown-veined developed in the first ⅔ of the lip and the petals (Fig. 2–3). Pridgeon & al. (2009) point out that flowers of Telipogon are resupinate but the flowers of T. peruvianus are not (Fig. 2) like other Telipogon species (Pabón-mora & González, 2008). Although Roque & León (2006) assert that T. peruvianus is only known from the type collection, other specimens had been collected before in the type locality and elsewhere, but they were not reviewed or remained unidentified until recently.

Specimens examined. — Peru. Dept Cusco. Prov. Quispicanchis: two km from Marcapata on the lower road, 22.VII.1978, Aronson & Berry 530 (USM); Achubamba, near to Marcapata town, 13.IX.1984, Fernández & al. 499 (USM); Marcapata, 13.592°S 70.619°W, 20.VII.2012, Martel & Cairampoma 007 (USM); between Marcapata and Achubamba, along the road from Marcapata to Quincemil, 13.IX.1984, Nakata 5225 (TNS); Marcapata town, 13°35′10′S 70°58′16′W, 20.IV.2007, Nauray & Farfán 3765 (HGI, MOL, USP); locality between Yuncawara and Marcapata, 24–25.VII.1966, Vargas 17509 (AMES, CUZ); locality at 5 km to Marcapata, 13.X.1976, Wasshausen & Encarnación 781 (G, K). Prov. Paucartambo: Q'eros locality, Quico Grande, X.2004, Nauray 3711 (CUZ).