Replies on: Casus Pro Diagnosi - Bromeliad Identification Page

2. Vriesea cf. declinata  (Send your reply, using the form)

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• Eric Gouda: in flower characters it is close to Vriesea declinate, but the inflorescence is simple and erect, the rhachis is bright-dark red (not very good shown in picture)
• Elton Leme: I am almost sure it is Vriesea pauperrima E. Pereira (see Fl. Neotropica:1399), and are not at all related to V. declinata or V. psittacina. Other species that share the same complex of species
  are V. x morreniana (sensu Smith & Downs, not as E. Morren which is an artificial hybrid), V. eltoniana, V. paraibica, V. laxa, to name few. The most impressive distinction of V. pauperrima is its very lax inflorescence when compared to the other relatives, which originates its name. I collected this species many years ago near the coast at Cabo Frio region, Rio de Janeiro State and few species are in collection yet.
• Eric Gouda: Vriesea pauperrima is probably right, but some characters are not mentioned in the description in the addendum on page 1399 and unfortunately it is not included in the artificial keys. There are some differences with the description: Inflorescence is 17x3 cm (fertile part, not 10 cm) with nearly straight rhachis; Scape-bracts are remote in upper part of peduncle (not imbricate); Floral-bracts are 3.3 cm long (not 4 cm) ad the flowers are spreading (not erect, nothing is said about excertion of stamens and pistil); Sepals are 2 mm connate (not free), 29 mm long (not 22 mm long); Petals are slightly spreading (not reflexed). Main difference is probably the relative length of Floral-bracts to the Sepals 33-29:40-22!

Send your reply, using the form, thanks E.J.Gouda