Aechmea frassyi Leme & J.A.Siqueira[as Aechmea frassyi ]

Diagnose: —A Aechmea multiflora LB. Sm., cui affinis, foliis dense spinosis, spinis minoribus, inflorescentia ca. 9 cm longa, ca. 7.5 cm lata, bracteis floriferis supernis attitudinem sepalorum distincte brevioribus, roseis, sepalis duplo minoribus, viridibus, dense albo-lepidotis, apice mucronulatis, petalis acuminatis differt.

Observations: —Aechmea frassyi, referred to subgenus Chevaliera, is closely related to A. multiflora. The new species may be distinguished, however; by its densely spinose leaves with smaller spines (1-2 mm vs. 5 mm); inflorescence ca. 9 cm long (vs. 15-29 cm) and ca. 7.5 cm wide only (vs. 11-20 cm); upper floral bracts much shorter and distinctly exceeded by sepals, rose colored (vs. reddish-brown); sepals only half as long (10-13 mm vs. 20-25 mm), green (vs. brownish), densely white-lepidote, apex mucronulate; and by the acuminate petals.;

Edited from : Leme & Siqueira 2001. (protologue) Studies in Bromeliaceae of Northeastern Brazil. I .