Aechmea andersoniana Leme & H.Luther[as Aechmea andersoniana Leme & H. Luther]

Diagnose: —A Aechmea bicolor L.B. Sm, cui affinis, foliis subcoriaceis, laminis foliorum angustioribus, distincte canaliculatis, apice acuminatis, marginibus basin versus integris, bracteis floriferis apice acuminatocaudatis, sepalis longioribus, petalis longioribus, acutis vel subacutis, exapendicullatis differt.

Observations: —This new species is morphologically related to Aechmea bicolor, but differs from it by its subcoriaceous leaves (vs. coriaceous), leaf blades narrower (1.4-1.7 cm vs. ca. 2.5 cm), distinctly canaliculate, apex acuminate (vs. acute with a thick pungent apical cusp), margins entire toward base (vs. laxly spinulose), floral bracts with apex acuminate-caudate (vs. acute to acuminate), sepals longer (ca. 7 mm vs. ca. 5 mm), petals longer (ca. 14 mm vs. ca. 9 mm), acute or subacute (vs. emarginate), and without any basal appendages (vs. bearing lacerate appendages).

Edited from : Leme & Luther 2003a. (protologue) Two New Species of Aechmea from Bahia, Brazil .