Aechmea

  • Authority

    Smith, Lyman B. & Downs, Robert J. 1979. Bromelioideae (Bromeliaceae). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 14 (3): 1493-2142. (Published by NYBG Press)

  • Family

    Bromeliaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Aechmea

  • Type

    Type. Aechmea paniculata Ruiz & Pavon, Fl. Peruv. 3: 37, pl. 264. 1802.

  • Synonyms

    Hoiriri, Oechmea J. St. Hilaire, Chevalieria Gaudich., Pothuava Gaudich., Macrochordion, Hoplophytum, Echinostachys de Vriese, Lamprococcus, Chevaliera, Macrochordium Beer, Ortgiesia, Wittmackia, Gravisia, Aechmea paniculata Ruiz & Pav.

  • Description

    Description - Perennial, almost always acaulescent herbs or medium stature, frequently propagating by basal rhizomes. Leaves densely rosulate or fasciculate with the sheaths usually forming a tank, usually spinose-serrate. Scape usually well developed. Inflorescence compound or simple. Flowers distichous or polystichous, sessile or stipitate, not showy, perfect. Sepals free or connate, usually strongly asymmetric; petals regular, free, bearing 2 basal more or less adnate appendages or these rarely more or less aborted (Subgenus Chevaliera). Stamens shorter than the petals, free or the second series more or less adnate to the petals, unappendaged; anthers dorsifixed; pollen with 2, 3, 4, or numerous pores or sulcate in the doubtfully included Ae. muricata (Arruda da Camara) L. B. Smith; ovary wholly inferior; ovules mostly caudate. Fruit usually but slightly enlarged from the ovary; seeds small.

  • Discussion

    Aechmea includes some very discordant elements and is very likely of polyphyletic origin. Further research is likely to divide it with some parts becoming independent genera and others merging with genera at present considered distinct.