Masdevallia helenae Luer, Selbyana 2(4): 374–375. 1978.
TYPE: Bolivia. Santa Cruz: without locality, collected by Helen Kuhn, Aug. 1976, cultivated by J & L Orchids, Easton, Ct., flowered in cult. 4 March 1978, C. Luer 2784 (holotype, SEL).