Plants grown under this name in USA in the 1980's are really V. lubbersii - see J Brom Soc 38: 209. 1988 —SeeSmith & Downs 1977
Conservation: Data Deficient (DD).
Final Considerations: The absence of a reliable taxonomic delimitation for Vriesea can be attributed, in part, to the use of many characters that are shared to a greater or lesser extent with other genera in the subfamily, such that no character is exclusive to the genus, and not even a combination of characters can be used to define it. This picture is aggravated since updated revisions, morphometric studies, and synopses are practically nonexistent, with rare exceptions (e.g. Costa et al. 2009 ; Moura and Costa in prep.; this study), rendering the genus taxonomically complex, and the identity of many species and the relationships among its members undefined. Taking into consideration the large number of species in the genus, and the morphological variability observed in species with wide distributions, it becomes imperative to carry out detailed morphological studies, especially with living specimens. The study of populations in the field is an indispensable tool to aid in the clarification of problems of taxonomic delimitation of species, seeing that many of the important characteristics for a reliable diagnosis are not preserved in herbarium specimens. The V. corcovadensis group, as with most members of the genus, includes species that are difficult to identify. These problems stem from the lack of in-depth studies of taxonomic delimitation and geographical distribution, employing bibliographic analyses in conjunction with analysis of populations in the field, as well as observations of the flowering and fruiting. Upon the completion of this study, we conclude that in spite of the extensive morphological variability of the species of this group and the wide geographical distribution of V. flammea , or the morphological similarity between the vegetative structures in V. corcovadensis and V. flammea , or the similarity between the reproductive structures of V. corcovadensis and V. lubbersii , the new description for this group solved some of persistent taxonomic difficulties, allowing an accurate identification of its species. —SeeSilva & Costa 2011
