Leme 2004a (Article) Orthophytum

Studies on Onhophytum, an endemic genus of Brazil

Author(s):—E.M.C. Leme

Publication:—Journal of the Bromeliad Society 54(1): 36-43. (2004)

Published names (2):

Orthophytum estevesii
Orthophytum horridum

Taxonomy:—Orthophytum fosterianum var. estevesii When Orthophytum fosterianum var. estevesii was conceived by Rauh (in Rauh & Gross 1991) the typical variety of O. fosterianum L. B. Sm. was considered an imperfectly known taxon. According to Luther (1991), O. foste¬rianum was described on the basis of a depauperate specimen producing a simple or barely branched inflorescence; however, vigorous plants produce up to seven branches. Besides the recognized improvement on the concept of O. fosterianum, Luther (1997) also described O. sucrei, including in its synonymy O. fosterianum var. estevesii. However, after comparing type descendants of O. sucrei and O. fosterianum var. estevesii maintained in cultivation, as well as the holotype of the latter, it became clear that there are important morphological differences between them, which are consistent enough to justify the elevation of var. estevesii to the species rank, as proposed below. (p.54: 37).