Gouda 2021b (Article) Tillandsia

Introducing the very rare Guzmania delicatula L.B.Smith

Author(s):—E.J. Gouda

Publication:—Journal of the Bromeliad Society 71(1): 5-10. (2021)

Abstract:—Some years ago, Jeffrey Kent brought a plant to my attention that appeared to be new or at least very rare. Plant material that he provided has been grown at the Botanic Gardens of Utrecht for some time and flowered early June 2020. The plant was identified as Guzmania delicatula Smith (1959) but revealed some additional characteristics, like the leaf blade width, that can be over 20 mm wide at the base and more narrowly triangular vs. 15 mm wide and graminiform which needs an adaptation of the Guzmania key by Smith & Downs (1977) at duplet 11: “Leaf-blades narrowly triangular or graminiform, 7-15(-21) mm wide”.