Gardner 1986b (Article) Tillandsia

Preliminary classification of Tillandsia based on floral characters

Author(s):—C.S. Gardner

Publication:—Selbyana 9: 130-146. (1986)

Abstract:—Previous classifications within subfam. Tillandsioideae Harms (Bromeliaceae) are based primary on characters determined from dried specimens. Floral characters are seldom well preserved in dried material and no associated suites of characters delimiting groups have been described. Some genera and subgenera are currently distinguished by single "key characters." Taxonomically useful suites of floral traits ascertainable only from fresh or spirit-preserved flowers of 91 species of Tillandsia L. subgen. Tillandsia are used here to circumscribe five preliminary taxonomie groups. Sixteen species of subgen. Allardtia (A. Dietrich) Baker were also examined, and 1 3 were assigned to three of these group