Ramirez 1996 (Dissertation) Cryptanthus

Systematics, phylogeny and chromosome number evolution in Cryptanthus (Bromeliaceae)

Author(s):—I.M. Ramírez M.

Publication:—Univ. of Missouri - St. Louis USA (1996).

Pages: 280

Taxonomy:—Cryptanthus discolor One of the three species included in the original publication of the genus, has a brief diagnostic description: "foliis eiongato-ianceolatis acuminatis undulatis serratis supra nudis viridibus subtus lepidotis glaucis" that easily fits almost all species in subgenus Cryptanthus. Since there is no more information than the above provided, the name is excluded from the treatment. (p.232).—Cryptanthus diversifolius Provided (description) is not enough to understand this concept, the name should be excluded. A name used to identify a population of a taxon probably in the complex of section Cryptanthus, probably related to C. acaulis. Since the information provided (description) is not enough to understand this concept, the name should be excluded. (p.232-233).—Cryptanthus praetextus The original drawing that Baker used to describe the species was not obtained and it is apparently lost from Morren's Icon collection bought by the library of Kew Gardens. The information from the original description is not complete enough as to understand to which population(s) this name could be applied to. Nevertheless, the name has been applied to several Cryptanthus populations in the state of Espirito Santo, but they clearly belong to C. odoratissimus and C. acaulis. (p.229).—Cryptanthus sinuosus Unresolved species: This name was created for part of the concept of C. undulatus (see comments about this name on excluded names section). Apparently it represents plants coming from Cabo Frio, following some identifications of material from that area by L. B. Smith. All material from that area has been identified as C. acaulis. However, I have not included C. sinuosus as a synonym of C. acaulis because it is not clear if it represents the same species. (p.229).—Cryptanthus suaveolens Unresolved taxon: A picture of the drawing was obtained from the library of Kew Gardens. The drawing does not include enough details to evaluate the validity of the species. Considering the description, the information can fit any known population of Cryptanthus nowadays. Since the concept is not clear as well as the distribution of the species, the use of it is not recommended. (p.230).—Cryptanthus undulatus Cryptanthus undulatus was the new name Otto and A. Dietrich created for Tillandsia acaulis Lindley, which was illegitimate because of the citation of Tillandsia acaulis as the basonym. (The latin diagnostic description of C. undulatus unfortunately fits many species in the genus) (p.233).—Cryptanthus zonatus forma viridis This name was created for a variety of Cryptantus zonatus which supposedly has leaf blades glabrous beneath and appearing green. Even though has been widely used for many years in cultivation and L.B. Smith (1955) in the Bromeliaceae of Brazil accepted the name, it was never validly published, there is no type cited and the origin of this cultivar is dubious as are many others in the genus. (p.233-234).—Madvigia densiflora The species type of the genus Madvigia Liebm., here considered as synonym of Cryptanthus but the species even though it represents a Cryptanthus, it is very difficult to assign to any one of the species here accepted. (p.234).