Braun & Esteves 2017 (Article) Encholirium [German]

A New Rupicolous Species of Encholirium from the Uppermost North of Minas Gerais, Brazil: Encholirium viride

Author(s):—P.J. Braun & E. Esteves P.

Corresponding email:—pbraunger@aol.com

Publication:—Die Bromelie 2017(1): 4-10. (2017)

German title:—Ein neue felsbewohnende Art der Gattung Encholirium aus dem äußersten Norden von Minas Gerais, Brasilien: Encholirium viride

Abstract:—The genus Encholirium was established already back in 1830. Together with Deuterocohnia and Dyckia the three genera represent a monophyletic group in Bromeliaceae, belonging to subfamily Pitcairnioideae. In habitat and without inflorescence Encholirium looks like Dyckia, but contrary to the latter the rosettes of Encholirium produce a terminal, strong upright inflorescence (similar to Agave). Another distinguishing feature, different from Dyckia, are the free, non-connected stamens.
Encholirium occurs in eastern, northeastern, central and also western Brazil, but undoubtedly the genus’ hotspot lies in Minas Gerais. From Minas Gerais about 25 species are recorded, from Bahia, Alagoas, Sergipe, Tocantins, Goiás, Piauí, Maranhão, Pernambuco, Paraiba, Ceará and Rio Grande do Norte and Mato Grosso only one to max. four species in each state are known.
Encholirium is a still poorly known endemic genus from Brazil. Forzza (2005) reduced the number of species from over 40 to about 30 in her taxonomic review, but during the last decade several new species were described, like E. agavoides, E. ascendes, E. ctenophyllum, E. diamantinum, E. pulchrum, E. viridicentrum, E. kranzianum from Minas Gerais or E. fragae and E. splendidum from Bahia.

Published names (1):

Encholirium viride