Siekkinen 2016 (Article) Ursulaea

In the field with Ursulaea

Author(s):—A. Siekkinen

Publication:—Journal of the Bromeliad Society BSI_V65(3): 166-178. (2016)

Abstract:—Ursulaea tuitensis has always captured my attention. It grows quite well here in San Diego, California and almost always seems to have nice red leaves. It is a peculiar plant in that it has somewhat thick succulent leaves, does not form a cup to capture water, crawls around with its short and stout stolons exposed above the surface, and then produces an incredible erect inflorescence with large pink bracts reminiscent of a beautiful Billbergia. This species was brought into cultivation in the first half of the 1980’s and at first incorrectly identified as Aechmea macvaughii, but was quickly recognized as new and described as Aechmea tuitensis. Due to their unique look and being found in the same region, the new genus Ursulaea was created for this species from El Tuito, Jalisco and Aechmea macvaughii.