genus Androlepis Brongn. ex Houllet
Literature references:
Comments:
- Rauh in Trop. Subtrop. Pflanz.43: 50-65. 1983
A little known Bromeliad genus is Androlepis BRONGN. ex HOULLET, up to now mono-typically and known only from Central America, Guatemala, Honduras and Costa Rica ,( refer L. B. SMITH, Fig. 487 in Flora Neotropica, 14/3, Bromelioideae, p.1527). The only species, Androlepis skinneri BRONGN. ex HOULLET [Syn: A. donnell-smithii (BAKER) MEZ] is similar vegetatively to a large Aechmea and was therefore assigned there by BAKER (Handb. Bromel. 1889). However it differs from Aechmea in 2 essential characteristics :
A. The flowers are functionally unisexual and on different Individual plants, (this occurs occasionally also with Aechmea).
B. The anthers carry on its dorsal-side a usually active receptacle, hornlike appendix, a characteristic that is to be found with no other Bromeliad genus.
This is as far as known from newer examinations of the species.
On trips by the author to Central America, (Honduras, Costa Rica, Guatemala), as well as several times to Mexico and Peru Androlepis , in each case always only the one sex, but it is difficult to question the monotypicness of Androlepis by means of collected material is not completely clear because at the relevant locations neither flowering nor fruiting plants were seen. The young collected plants were therefore thought to be Aechmea. Only after many years in cultivation have we seen flowers to link them to the genus Androlepis.. In Guatemala at the Rio Dulce, RAUH 38 827, 1975, collected a male plant , as well as in South Mexico, (near Malpaso, Prov. Oaxaca), RAUH 26 919, Octobers 1971;, However, Central Peru (near Yaupi-Baja, Dptm,. Cerro de Pasco), RAUH 25 640, July 1971, proved female. The Mexican discovery was the first time for this Country, and the finding of Androlepis in central-Peru has extended the habitat area further south. Whether the species is dispersed also in Colombia and Ecuador further research will show..
Since the collected material is not sufficient to decide on new species it has been decided to describe new varieties and show pictures and diagnoses in order to stimulate further collections.
First of all the Genus is described and then a type diagnosis of Androlepis skinneri the sole species known so far.
Genus diagnosis of Androlepis BRONGNIART ex HOULLET
Until now single species:
