Pitcairnia unilateralis L.B.Sm.

  • Authority

    Smith, Lyman B. & Downs, Robert J. 1974. Pitcairnioideae (Bromeliaceae). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 14 (1): 1-658. (Published by NYBG Press)

  • Family

    Bromeliaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Pitcairnia unilateralis L.B.Sm.

  • Type

    TYPE. Harling 4785 (holotype, S; isotype, US), steep rocks by river, Río Daule below Pichincha, Hacienda Barbarita, Guayas, Ecuador, 18-26 Apr 1959.

  • Description

    Description - Plants pendent in clumps. Leaf-blades linear, attenuate at base and apex, over 2 m long, 19 mm wide, entire, glabrous above, covered beneath with a whitish membrane of coalesced scales, bearing a broad white median band that becomes the full width of the blade at base. Scape unknown. Inflorescence evidently simple, 38 cm long, densely secund-flowered, except for the petals densely and finely white-arachnoid; axis 7 mm in diameter. Floral bracts triangular, to 15 mm long; pedicels slender, 12 mm long; flowers spreading. Sepals narrowly triangular, acute, 18 mm long, carinate toward base; petals linear, 6 cm long, pale yellow, bearing a suborbicular crenate scale at base; ovary more than ½ inferior; ovules caudate.

  • Distribution

    Known from the type collection only.

    Ecuador South America| Guayas Ecuador South America|