DISCUSSION
Neoregelia leucophoea was described in 1889 based on a painting done in September 1885, by Marie Jean Guillaume Cambresier (1856-1928; Grant, pers. comm.), from the collection of Edouard Morren (1833-1886) . This painting carries the name Nidularium leucophoeum. It shows only the habit of a plant in flower and has no analytical sketches of flower details (Leme, 1991). For this reason, the original description merely reproduces the superficial features of the taxon, with no specific details as to flower structure. As a result, the identity of this species has been shrouded in mystery since its conception and only recently were specimens collected that provided more information on this species.
When Lindman (1891) described the genus Wittrockia, he mentioned having seen a sketch of this taxon by Morren at the Royal Botanic Gardens, in Kew, England, with details of the flower showing petals with well-developed appendages [" Ad hoc idem genus sine dubio pertinet Nidularium leucophoeum (...) secundum figuram a Morrenio delineatam, quam in Herb. Kew vidi, corollae tubo intus inter filamenta squamulato (...)"].
Lindman thought it possible that this species might belong to the genus Wittrockia.
A follow-up on Lindman's comments led to the discovery of the sketch he had mentioned and confirmed his observations (Leme, 1991). Consequently, an attempt was made to correct the concept of the taxon. Based on a disproportionate significance attributed to the petal appendages - a criterion which is dropped here (Leme, 1997) - this taxon was included in the genus Wittrockia, which, at that time, already held a very disparate group of species. The redefinition of W. leucophoea led to the true identity of recently collected specimens that had not, until then, fit into any existing species description.
When the circumscription of Wittrockia was constricted (Leme, 1997) and isolated diagnostic traits were no longer used to define genera (e. g., petal appendages), it became clear that this species should be returned to the genus Neoregelia.
Within the genus Neoregelia, N. leucophoea fits more easily in Longipetalopsis, although it is not a typical species. The decision to include it in this new subgenus resulted from the confirmation of a series of traits such as the leaf rosette that does not expand as the inflorescence develops, very wide petals (17 mm), anthers attached near the base and ovary lacking an epigynous tube (see also the preceding discussion). The most remarkable characteristic of this species is the conformation of the corolla. It forms a tube in common with the filaments at the base, with very thick walls that define the rigid structure of the inner appendages. Furthermore, the petals are always erect at anthesis, as are those in Nidularium s. str., but as they begin to wither, they become strongly involutetwisted in an apex-base direction, and the included stamens are exposed through lateral openings.
In its natural habitat, the inflorescence of this species is entirely covered by a dense layer of organic matter that accumulates throughout the life of the plant. It is therefore usually hidden except when someone inspects the central tanks of the plant by removing the litter. The special petal traits of this taxon are perhaps an adaptive response to this condition, a type of protection that does not allow detritus to fall into the relatively ample corollas.
In populations of N. leucophoea from the region of Macae de Cima, Nova Friburgo, I observed that the litter accumulated in the central tank of some specimens in the post-fruiting stage had , been removed and deposited on one of the leaves, together with the remains of the inflorescence. This suggests the activity of a seed-dispersal agent, possibly a small mammal. In order to get to the fruits, this animal probably removed the litter with its front paws and pulled it under its body.
Neoregelia leucophoea is a typical inhabitant of the Atlantic rain forest in the state of Rio de Janeiro, mainly in the Serra dos Orgaos and the Bocaina region. It is found at altitudes of over 1,000 meters. In the Serra dos Orgaos region, particularly in the National Park at Teresopolis, we noted a large number of plants of this species, as well as in the locality of Soberbo. In the Serra da Bocaina region, populations are mainly epiphytic, preferring the stratum nearest to the forest canopy. The most ornamental specimens are from this region: medium-sized, leaves splashed with patches of intense purplish-red.
Although populations in the Petropolis region are found at the same altitude and the plants are sometimes encountered as epiphytes, they are more often found on the better illuminated sections of the forest floor. These plants are larger and leaf color is incomparably more distinct than that of specimens from Bocaina.
Neoregelia leucophoea is currently protected in conservation units like Serra dos Orgaos National Park and Bocaina National Park. —SeeLeme 1998
