Other specimens examined: Costa Rica: Alajeula Province, 3.5 km west of Fortuna, 2.5 km northwest of New Volcan Arenal along sloping base, elev. 1,500 m, 5 Aug. 1972, J. & C. Taylor 116038 (US); northwest slope of Volcan Arenal, Rio Tabacon flow, low open forest on large lava blocks, 28 May 1985, V. Funk, W. Melson & J. Funk 6963 (US); slopes of Volcan Arenal between Fortuna and Palma, old lava fields with dense, dwarf forest, elev. 650 m, 25 July 1990, Luther, Skotak, & Bak 2812 (SEL, MO, CR).
Relationships: Based on the classification system of Smith and Downs (1972), Pitcairnia funkiae most closely resembles P. atrorubens (Beer) Baker but can be readily distinguished from that species by its basally serrate leaf blades, stoutly cylindric, truncate inflorescence, densely brown-lanate sepals and floral bracts, and dark maroon petals. In P. atrorubens the leaf blades are entire, the inflorescence is more slender and suspicate, the sepals and floral bracts are glabrous, and the petals are yellow to cream.
Notes
Volcan Arenal is one of seven active volcanoes in central Costa Rica. In 1983, the Smithsonian Institution, in collaboration with the Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad of Costa Rica, initiated a project to study the volcanology and biology of that volcano. One aspect of the project was to study the flora. While examining Bromeliaceae specimens that she had collected, Dr. Vicki Funk, a curator at the Smithsonian, discovered a new species of Pitcairnia.Notes p. J. Brom Soc
Volcan Arenal is one of seven active volcanoes in central Costa Rica. In 1983, the Smithsonian Institution, in collaboration with the Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad of Costa Rica, initiated a project to study the volcanology and biology of that volcano. One aspect of the project was to study the flora. While examining Bromeliaceae specimens that she had collected, Dr. Vicki Funk, a curator at the Smithsonian, discovered a new species of Pitcairnia. —SeeSpencer & Smith 1991bp. 41(5): 214-215
