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Family:

Bromeliaceae (Magnoliophyta)

Primary Citation:

Nov. Gen. Sp. Pl. (Poeppig & Endlicher) 2: 43, t. 159. 1838

Accepted Name:

This name is currently accepted.

Description:

Author : Juan Francisco Morales, Xavier Cornejo & Reinaldo Aguilar.

Description: Epiphytic herbs, forming funnelform rosettes, growing in clumps. Blades ligulate, (20-)30-80 x 2-6 cm, the margins spinose-serrate, the apex acute to acuminate. Scapes erect, 22.5-63 cm long, white-flocculose becoming glabrous; scape bracts elliptic, red, the margins serrate, the apex acute. Inflorescences dense or lax, pinnate to basally bipinnate, cylindric, fertile throughout, 4-23 cm long; spikes 1-3.5 cm long, spreading or reflexed, with 4-9, distichously arranged flowers, the axes undulate, compressed; floral bracts spreading, broadly ovate, 4-6 mm long, barely exceeding ovary, the apex mucronulate. Flowers sessile; sepals asymmetric, 4-9 mm long, free, the apex mucronate; petals oblong, 8-10 mm long, yellow, bearing 2 scales well above base, the apex mucronate; stamens included. Fruits berries, ca. 8 mm diam., white at maturity.

Common names: None recorded.

Distribution: Costa Rica to Bolivia from sea level to 850 m (Smith & Downs, 1979; Morales, 2003).

Ecology: In wet forests, persistent in secondary and disturbed habitats.

Phenology: This species has been observed with flowers from Jan to May and in Nov (Morales, 2003).

Pollination: No observations recorded.

Dispersal: It is most likely that the soft berries of this species are eaten by birds. In Ecuador, ants have been observed carrying away entire fruits of this species (Cornejo, pers. obs. 1994).

Taxonomic notes: This species is recognized by its leaf blades with spiny-serrate margins; scape with serrate red bracts; pinnate to bipinnate inflorescences bearing spikes 1-3.5 cm long; sessile flowers with yellow petals; and white fruits.

Conservation: Not endangered.

Uses: None recorded.

Etymology: The epithet refers to the narrow leaf blades.

Flora and Monograph Treatment(s):

Aechmea angustifolia Poepp. & Endl.: [Article] Smith, Lyman B. & Downs, Robert J. 1979. Bromelioideae (Bromeliaceae). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 14 (3): 1493-2142.
Aechmea angustifolia Poepp. & Endl.: [Article] Smith, Lyman B. 1957. The Bromeliaceae of Colombia. Contr. U. S. Natl. Herb. 33: i-v, 1-311.
Aechmea angustifolia Poepp. & Endl.: [Article] Smith, Lyman B. 1967. Bromeliaceae of the Guayana Highland. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 14: 15-68.