Kowalski 2015 (Conference Paper) Vriesea

The group Vriesea platynema Gaudich. (Bromeliaceae: Tillandsioideae) in Paraná State, Brazil

Author(s):—V.K. Kowalski & R.C. Tardivo in Benko-Iseppon, A.M.; Alves, M. & Louzada, R. (2015) An overview and abstracts of the First World Congress on Bromeliaceae Evolution. Rodriguésia 66(2): A1-A66.

Publication:— (2015).

Abstract:—Vriesea Lindl. is the second largest genus in Tillandsioideae with 281 species, distributed mainly in South America. In Brazil, it occurs in such biomes as the Cerrado, Amazon, Caatinga, Pampa but mainly in the Atlantic Rain Forest, the major center of diversity for the genus. Currently, Vriesea is divided into two sections: Vriesea and Xiphion. Vriesea sect. Vriesea is characterized by diurnal flower anthesis, red or yellow floral bracts, ligulate petals and exserted stamens. Vriesea sect. Xiphion presents night anthesis, green or brownish floral bracts, obovate petals and included stamens. Vriesea sect. Xiphion is the largest section of the group V. platynema, with 41 species, occurring from Central America to Argentina. The high polymorphism of this group leads to misidentification of the lower taxa. This study aims to describe the V. platynema groupoccurring in Paraná, to map its geographical distribution and to indicate the conservation status of the lower taxa. This study was based on specialized bibliography, herbarium specimens and botanical expeditions conducted all over the phytogeographical units of the Atlantic Forest in Paraná State. Three taxa are recognized to Paraná State: Vriesea platynema var. variegata and V. tijucana, found in Dense Ombrophilous Forest on the Atlantic Coast; and V. platynema var. platynema, found in Mixed Ombrophilous Forest on the Secondand Third Parana Plateau. The morphology of the V. platynema group is characterized by sigmoid stamens, flattened dorsoventrally and extended towards the apex. The lower taxa can be differentiated by the number of flowers: 40?70 in V. tijucana; up to 36 in V. platynema var. platynema and V. platynema var. variegata. Vriesea platynema var. platynema has leaves irregularly arranged, winding, green, with dark green transverse
lines, and urceolate corolla. On the other hand, V. platynema var. variegata has green leaves, with white longitudinal striations on the adaxial surface and purple-reddish macules on the apex, and a campanulate corolla.
According to the IUCN criteria, V. platynema var. platynema is not endangered, whereas V. platynema var.
variegata and V. tijucana are endangered (EN).

Keywords:—Parana Flora; Morphology; Vriesea.