Brown 2017 (Article) Bromeliaceae

Bromeliad Systematics - Stepping Back to move Forward

Author(s):—G.K. Brown

Publication:—Journal of the Bromeliad Society 66(3): 149-159. (2017)

Abstract:—The taxonomic framework and understanding of diversity and relationships within the Bromeliaceae is based on, and has been influenced by, the works and contributions from scores of individuals over at least the past 300 years. These individuals include explorer-collectors, horticulturists, hobbyists, naturalists, students, artists, professional botanists, and other scientists. When considering this spectrum of contributions, with special attention given to the many important ones (e.g., Linneaus, 1762; Baker 1889, Rauh, 1979; Benzing, 2000; Givinish et al., 2007), I consider three sets of contributions, Baker (1889), Mez (1896, 1935), and Smith & Downs (1974, 1977, 1979) to be monumental milestones for Bromeliaceae Systematics. First, these contributions were comprehensive monographs where all then known species were included, and placed into concepts of “natural” genera and suprageneric categories (e.g., tribes, subfamilies). For example, many of the generic concepts used today, as well as the initial concepts for the three eventually, and traditionally recognized subfamilies, Bromelioideae, Pitcairnioideae, and Tillandsioideae, were formulated (as three Tribes in Baker, 1889 and Mez 1896) and reinforced and refined (as three subfamilies in Mez 1935, and Smith & Downs, 1974, 1977, 1979). Second, is the sheer size of each body of work, with Baker (1889) at 243 pages, Mez (1896, 1935) at 1,657 pages, and Smith & Downs (1974, 1977, 1979) at 2,142 pages. Such comprehensive monographic works of large families (Bromeliaceae is the 5th largest monocot family, and the largest plant family endemic to the New World) with vast geographic range, authored by one or two individuals, are now exceedingly rare, and unlikely to be attempted in the future where the norm for large scientific works increasingly involve large numbers of co-authors (e.g., Givnish et al., 2011). Third, these monumental works by Baker, Mez, and Smith & Downs, had a significant, long-lasting impact on all aspects of bromeliad biological study and horticulture