Pitcairnia stenophylla André
Literature references:
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Comments:
- A curious and remarkable Pitcairnia is P. stenophylla Andre, known so far only from Colombia (Quataquicito on the Magdalena River in Tolima Province; type Andre 1876, s.n.).
We found this species for the first time in northern Peru between Tarapoto and Yurimaguas, in a region which is very rich in interesting pitcairnias. The following is a short diagnosis of our Peruvian plant:
In the type plant (Andre 1876 s.n.), the inflorescences are erect and the spirally arranged flowers are not secund. It is remarkable that Andre does not mention in his diagnosis the behaviour of the persistent leaf blade bases. This is so characteristic of P. stenophylla, and we have never seen it in other Pitcairnia species.
Pitcairnia stenophylla is a night-bloomer and has symmetrical flowers. They open when it becomes dark, then their pale lemon petals begin to roll back so that the stamens and style are free (fig. 9). In comparison with other Pitcairnia species many flowers of the inflorescence are open at the same time. After midnight the petals extend themselves and the flowers move downward. —See Rauh 1988d p. 38(6): 262-264
