Tillandsia francisci W.Till & J.R.Grant
Literature references:
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Comments:
- Tillandsia francisci is a large lithophyte of near vertical sheer rock faces. Large populations have been observed colonizing the rock faces in a narrow canyon. It has not been observed as a terrestrial or epiphyte. The difficulty to collect material from such a remote and difficult habitat is likely the reason it was unknown to science until now.
This conspicuous plant has previously been identified as Tillandsia clavigera Mez by Hornung & Gaviria (1999) and Oliva-Esteve (2000) page 211, or T. fendleri Griseb. by Oliva-Esteve & Steyermark (1987) page 234, and Oliva-Esteve (2003) page 245. It differs, however, by its much larger habit, longer and strongly compressed spikes, larger flowers and coloration.
Using the keys of Smith & Downs (1977; especially subkey IX) Tillandsia francisci (greenish-yellow flower-bracts with violet-brown tips and margins, 38-42 mm long) belongs to a group of closely related species comprising T. denudata Andre (dark castaneous flower-bracts 15-22 mm long), T. clavigera, T. brevicapsula Gilmartin, and T. nervisepala (Gilmartin) L.B. Sm. (flower-bracts pale and concolorous in all species, 24-30 mm long). The measurements of flower-bracts and sepals of T. clavigera are incorrect (i.e., too large, likely due to inclusion of discordant elements) in the key of Smith & Downs (1977) and T. clavigera is probably nothing more than a somewhat depauperate form of T. nervisepala, however, the former name having priority over the latter. T. clavigera var. pendula Rauh (1985) does not belong to the above mentioned group but is much closer related to T. francisci differing immediately in its much shorter scape and pendulous inflorescence with more densely and polystichously arranged spikes.
Some similarity also exists with Tillandsia fendleri Griseb. However, the habit, the secund, pendulous linear (vs. lanceolate) spikes and the coloration clearly separate the two species. Photographs of T. francisci have been published under the name of T. fendleri in Oliva-Esteva & Steyermark (1987) page 234, and Oliva-Esteve (2003) page 245.
- Tillandsia francisci W Till & J.R. Grant has previously been identified as Tillandsia clavigera Mez by Hornung & Gaviria (1999) and Oliva-Esteve (2000) page 211, or T. fendleri Griseb. by Oliva-Esteve & Steyermark (1987) page 234, and Oliva-Esteve (2003) page 245. It differs, however, by its much larger habit, longer and strongly compressed spikes, larger flowers and coloration.
Using the keys of Smith & Downs (1977; especially subkey IX) Tillandsia francisci (greenish-yellow flower-bracts with violet-brown tips and margins, 38-42 mm long) belongs to a group of closely related species comprising T. denudata Andre (dark castaneous flower-bracts 15-22 mm long), T. clavigera, T. brevicapsula Gilmartin, and T. nervisepala (Gilmartin) L.B. Sm. (flower-bracts pale and concolorous in all species, 24-30 mm long). The measurements of flower-bracts and sepals of T. clavigera are incorrect (i.e., too large, likely due to inclusion of discordant elements) in the key of Smith & Downs (1977) and T. clavigera is probably nothing more than a somewhat depauperate form of T. nervisepala, however, the former name having priority over the latter. T. clavigera var. pendula Rauh (1985) does not belong to the above mentioned group but is much closer related to T. francisci differing immediately in its much shorter scape and pendulous inflorescence with more densely and polystichously arranged spikes.
Some similarity also exists with Tillandsia fendleri Griseb. However, the habit, the secund, pendulous linear (vs. lanceolate) spikes and the coloration clearly separate the two species. Photographs of T. francisci have been published under the name of T. fendleri in Oliva-Esteva & Steyermark (1987) page 234, and Oliva-Esteve (2003) page 245. —See Till & Grant 2003 p. 53:195
