Hechtia matudae occurs on cliffs and crags of volcanic rocks where it forms extensive colonies (figs. 2,6). The species is known from the states of Mexico and Morelos, Mexico, growing between 1700 and 1900 m elevation. This species is spectacular and showy in flowering. The size, abundance, color, and delicate scent of the flowers (figures 1,7), makes it a plant with great ornamental potential.
Notes
In Mexico, the Bromeliaceae are represented by all three subfamilies recognized by Smith and Downs (1974), with the genera Tillandsia, Pitcairnia and Hechtia being the largest.
Hechtia with ca. 53 species (Luther, 2006, Espejo-Serna, Lopez-Ferrari et al. 2004; Espejo-Serna, Lopez-Ferrari et al. 2007) 49 of which occur in Mexico, and with 47 of these endemic, may be considered a Mexican genus. Hechtia species are poorly collected -this is due to their painfully sharp spines, dioecious condition, the fact that the flowers are small and short-lived, and the relatively localized species distributions. Because of this they are not well documented. Renewed botanical exploration during recent decades is helping to increase our knowledge of this genus. Hechtia matudae is a case in point-until recently it was only known from a fruiting type collection and a few other fragmentary collections. As a part of an ongoing project to write the bromeliad flora of Mexico, we collected and photographed flowering material of this species and we include in the following the most comprehensive description of this taxon to date. —SeeLopez-Ferrari et al. 2008p. 58(2): 56-60
