Pitcairnia pungens Humb., Bonpl. & Kunth

  • Authority

    Smith, Lyman B. & Schubert, Bernice G. 1952. Plants collected in Ecuador by W. H. Camp. Begoniaceae. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 8 (1): 36-40.

  • Family

    Bromeliaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Pitcairnia pungens Kunth

  • Description

    Species Description - Lower bracts reddish, upper nitid, green, nigrescent-tipped, calyx yellow, margins and tip red-orange, corolla crimson, filaments pale crimson, anthers yellow; floral parts deep salmony-scarlet; roots, ground and cooked, used as diuretic; plants branched at base, bracts green, with purple bases, perianth scarlet, anthers yellow, Perianth segments salmon at base, apically crimson, anthers bright yellow.

  • Discussion

    "Quinde-Sangana," root i s ground and infusion made which is said to be good for kidneys and liver;

    Distribution and Ecology: Chimborazo-Canar border: on rocky outcrops; in Quichua: "Urcu-huicundo" (Urcu—mountain; huicundo—name applied to this general type of plant); western escarpment, near El Tambo, 10,000-11,500 ft., E-4085. Canar: between Suscal and Chontamarca, north rim of the valley of the Rio de Canar, E-2871. Azuay: "Quinde Sungana"; on rock, along the Rio Matadero, west of Cuenca, 8,500-9,000 ft., E-1940. Pacific side of pass, Nudo de Portete, pass between headwaters of the Ríos Tarqui (Atlantic) and Giron (Pacific), ca. 9,000 ft,, E-2172.

  • Distribution

    Chimborazo-Canar border: on rocky outcrops; in Quichua: "Urcu-huicundo" (Urcu—mountain; huicundo—name applied to this general type of plant); western escarpment, near El Tambo, 10,000-11,500 ft., E-4085. Canar: between Suscal and Chontamarca, north rim of the valley of the Rio de Canar, E-2871. Azuay.

    Amazonas Ecuador South America|