Tillandsia bourgaei Baker

Literature references:

Baensch & Baensch 1994: 207 Bromtravels (Web) BSA (Web) Claus 2017b: 60 Die Bromelie: 2014(1): 53: 2015(2): 93 FCBS (Web) Gomez et al. 2018: 49 J. Bromeliad Soc.: 57: 8: 33:48 57:8: 62(4):170 Kockel 1995: 41 Mendoza 2005: 43, 57 Morren Icons: kew 6-240* Oliva-Esteve 2002: 104 Rauh 1979c: pl.13 Rauh 1981, 1990: Abb. 2 , Farbb. 13 Roguenant 2001: 229

Shimizu 1992: 6 Smith & Downs 1977: 941,944: 941*: 941*: 941* Tropicos Tropiflora Cargo Rep: 9(1)d U.S. Nat. Herb. Webbia: 44(1):112

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Comments:

• Detail from McVaugh in Flora Nova Galiciana 1989
  A montane species, epiphytic chiefly on oaks, in oak or pine forest, this is a member of the complex that includes Tillandsia prodigiosa, which see. According to Smith (in Smith & Downs, 1977), T. bourgaei may be distinguished from the other members of the complex in Nueva Galicia by a combination of narrow densely cylindric or fusiform inflorescence with strict densely imbricated spikes, and densely lepidote floral bracts and sepals.
  The range of T. bourgaei, according to Smith, includes Nay., Gto. (Guanajuato, Duges, GH!, type of T. cylindrica), Jal. (San Sebastian, Arroyo de los Hornos, Mexia 1838, US!, holotype of T. mexiae), Gro., Mex., D.F., Oax., Pue., and Chis. The holotype (Bourgeau 893, K) was collected 24 Aug 1865, at some unspecified locality, presumably in the uplands of Mexico.
  Most of our specimens of this complex have been identified at one time or another as Tillandsia bourgaei, but it now seems that the latter is rare or of sporadic occurrence in Nueva Galicia. I have seen no specimens in which the sepals could be described as densely lepidote, but this feature is clearly shown in Smith's illustration (Smith & Downs, 1977, fig. 302, F) taken from Mexia 1838, the type-collection of T. mexiae. Also cited by Smith under the name of T. bourgaei are the following:
  Nay., Tepic, Cerro de San Juan (Mexia 725, UC, not seen): Jal.. Sierra de Cuale (McVaugh 14293). The specimens of McVaugh 14293 at MICH were also cited by Gardner (1982) as T. bourgaei, though the sepals are completely glabrous; the same specimens are treated above under the name of T. cossonii (which see under T. prodigiosa), following Gardner's description of that species.
  This species-complex will repay much more field-study, particularly with respect to the constancy of the characters of the integument, and the changes in the length, size, and form of the inflorescence during its development.