Encholirium bradeanum L.B.Sm.
Literature references:
Comments:
- Forzza 2001
The species Encholirium bradeanum was described based on a single plant, cultivated in the Botanical Garden of Rio de Janeiro. This specimen just constituted one scape and fruit, nothing of the leaf rosette or the flower. The main characteristics noted by Smith (1955), to describe this taxon, were the long and narrow leaves, laxly serrulate with thin " thorns ", many retroflexed. It is worth noticing that, actually, Smith (1955) was referring to the scape bracts at the base, that probably, are similar to the leaves.
During the development of the present study, various collections were made at the place where the holotype of this taxon originated (Diamantina-MG), in an attempt to locate examples to ascertain the characteristic above referred. None of the species recorded for the Planalto de Diamantina have scape bracts as in the holotype of E. bradeanum.
The collection Rapini et al. 351 and 352, coming from Botumirim (MG) and Mello Silva et al. 1447, coming from Cristalia (MG), have basal scape bracts long and narrow as in the holotype of E. bradeanum. However, as well as the holotype, these materials have only fruit or very old flowers. These specimens are also very similar to some collections of E. magalhaesii, however, the lack of flowers in perfect state makes any identification impossible.
For the above reasons, it was not possible to define E. bradeanum as a taxon different from the other species included in the present treatment or, if the presence of more narrow bracts is just a variation of another species (E. magalhaesii). We believe that further collections in the area of Botumirim and Cristalia may solve this problem. —See Smith & Downs 1974
