Guzmania blassii Rauh

Literature references:

Baensch & Baensch 1994: 168 Brom. J. Queensl.: 40(3):16 Bromtravels (Web) BSA (Web) Die Bromelie: 1984:4 FCBS (Web): J. Bromeliad Soc.: 33:49,66 39:148 41:119 Oliva-Esteve 2000a: 169 Rauh 1983b: 42:24 Tropicos

Comments:

• G. blassii is a beautifully colored species in the vegetative state and could well serve as a parent for hybridizing.
  
  Some years ago, Mr. A. Blass, Mittelneufnach, Germany, received from Mr. Clarence Horich, Costa Rica, a beautiful wine-red colored species of Guzmania which had been identified as G. compacta but without field data. Mr. Blass gave some of the specimens to the Botanical Garden, Heidelberg, Germany, at that time. Both in his collection and the Botanical Garden they developed into beautiful plants. Upon flowering, it was evident that they indeed have affinities with G. compacta, but on the other hand there are remarkable differences between them. The differences have led to the conclusion that the specimens sent by Mr. Horich from Costa Rica can be described as a new species, named after Mr. Blass. —See Rauh 1983d p. 33(2): 66-68