Pitcairnia epiphytica L.B.Sm.
-
Authority
Maguire, Bassett & Wurdack, John J. 1957. The Botany of the Guiana Highland -- Part II. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 9 (3): 235-392.
-
Family
Bromeliaceae
-
Scientific Name
-
Description
Latin Diagnosis - Caulescens; caule flexuoso; foliis dense imbricatis, vaginis ovatis, 4-6 cm longis, integris, atro-castaneis, dense adpresseque brunneo-lepidotis, laminis dimorphis, alteris ad flagellas parvas flexuosas gracillimas laxe serrulatas reductis, alteris longe petiolatis, lineari-lanceolatis, utrinque acuminatis, 8 dm longis, 35 mm latis, supra glabris, subtus dense adpresseque albo-lepidotis, ad apicem versus serrulatis, petiolis laxissime serratis; scapo erecto, flexuoso, albo-flocculoso; scapi bracteis internodia superantibus, lanceolatis, ad apicem versus longe acuminatis serrulatisque, viridibus; inflorescentia simplicissima, sublaxa, 4 dm long, petalis exceptis dissite albo-flocculosa; bracteis primariis infimis eis scapi similibus, floribus subaequantibus, supremis lineari-lanceolatis, pedicellos haud superantibus, tenuibus, pedicellis patentibus, gracilibus, ad 3 cm longis; sepalis lineari-lanceolatis, acutis, 30 mm longis, ecarinatis, rubris; petalis 50 mm longis, rubris, basi ligula truncata erosa auctis; ovario ca. Vi infero; ovulis alatis.
-
Discussion
Fig. 20.
TYPE: epiphytic, along uppermost Rio Yatua above mouth of Rio Yacibo at 100-140 m alt., Amazonas, Venezuela, January 30-31, 1954, B. Maguire, J. J. Wurdack & G. S. Bunting 37442.
The only specimen of this species is too young to show the appropriate characters but it appears related to species with an indehiscent fruit such as Pitcairnia leprieurii Baker and P- uaupensis Baker. It differs from the former in its serrate scape-bracts and lower floral bracts and from the latter in its much broader leaf-blades and large lower floral bracts.