Aechmea pernambucentris J A Sigueira & Leme[as Aechmea pernambucentris J. A. Siqueira & Leme]

Diagnose: —Species nova ab A. patentissima (Mart. ex Schult. & Schult. f.) Baker, cui affinis, laminis angustioribus, marginibus apicem versus et apice nigrescentibus, spinis minoribus, ramis plus numerosis brevioribus et densioribus, floribus minoribus et petalis brevioribus differt.

Observations: —DISCUSSION
This new species is closely related morphologically to A. patentissima. The most obvious differences are as follows: leaf blades narrower (4.5-5 cm vs. 7-12 cm wide) with smaller marginal spines (ca. 0.5 mm vs. 1-2 mm long), apex and apical margin blackish, branches proportionately more numerous (17-) 23 to 40 vs. (8-) 14 to 40, much more densely arranged and shorter (5-11 cm vs. 7-18 cm long), flowers smaller (ca. 12 mm vs. 13-14 mm long), plus petals slightly smaller (ca. 7 mm vs. 8-9 mm long) , and apex pale lilac (vs. white).
The name "pernambucentris" refers to the Pernambuco Center (Centro Pernambuco), one of the most important biogeographic centers in the Brazilian Atlantic forest (see Chapters 3 and 4). The species is found in montane cloud forests in Ceara, Pernambuco and Alagoas. In contrast to other related species from this region, A, pernambucentris flowers during the rainy season. It is also pollinated by insects, especially bees.
The type locality of A. pernambucentris, in Taquaritinga do Norte, shares with Fazenda Bitury, in Brejo da Madre de Deus, the distinction of having one of the richest bromeliad floras in the Brejos de altitude (Siqueira Filho, 2004; see Chapter 4). These upland forests have been cited by several authors (Andrade Lima, 1973; Sales et al., 1998) as places of striking floristic diversity, home to several of the new species described here. Unfortunately, Serra da Taquara and Sitio Cafundo, especially, are not protected by conservation units, although they are considered to be of extreme biological importance (MMA, 2002).

Edited from : Siqueira & Leme 2007. (protologue) Fragments of the Atlantic Forest of Northeast Brazil - Biodiversity, Conservation and the Bromeliads .