Cryptanthus warasii by Dorothy Byer in Cact Succ Journ (US) 68(6). 1996 and Crypt Soc Journ 15(2): 50, 59. 2000
Cryptanthus warasii Pereira is a semi-succulent xeraphytic bromeliad that greatly appeals to both succulent and bromeliad collectors as soon as they see it. On August 25, 1977, Eddie Waras discovered C. warasii at Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The holotype is maintained at the Herbarium Bradeanum in Rio De Janeiro. Brazil is the sole source of all Cryptanthus species, often called "earth stars".
Most Cryptanthus species are mesophytes inhabiting grasslands and forests, but C warasii grows in the open, colonizing humus-deficient cracks in cliffs. The 20 to 30 leaves, which make up its small rosette are linear-triangular, from 2 to 6 cm long, 1 to 2 cm wide, and so densely covered with white scales that they appear to be felted. They are broadly concave on top and keeled on the underside, acting like a backbone to give rigidity. Marginal spines, approximately 2 mm long, are almost straight. The original description states that the spines curve toward the leaf base, but in my experience this is true only of the basal portion of the leaf, while from the middle of the leaf the spines begin to hook towards the apex. The scaly coating on the leaves has distinct and beautiful spine impressions on both the tap and the bottom that look a bit like zippers.
The inflorescence is nestled in the center of the rosette. It consists of about 20 flowers arranged in fascicles of 2 or 3. Spineless floral bracts about 11 mm long, glabrous above and scaly below, equal the length of the sepals. The petals are white to off-white, slightly longer than the sepals, and recurve at anthesis. Stamens are exserted at anthesis.
Before flowering, the rosette is upright and flaring. The leaves gradually recurve until, after flowering, the plant flattens out and produces a few pups on stolons. As with other terminal- flowering bromeliads, the parent plant dies and the offspring begin a new cycle.
When not in flower, it could be difficult to guess that C. warasii is indeed a Cryptanthus and belongs to the subfamily Bromelioideae instead of the Pitcairnioideae, as do the puyas, dyckias, hechtias and most other terrestrial xerophytic bromeliads. Since this species is rarely seen in collections, there is little chance to become familiar with it except by studying plants in the Huntington Botanical Garden Conservatory or in other botanical gardens.
This bromeliad has an undeserved reputation for being difficult to grow. It apparently does not do well if kept in 6-inch pots of humusy soil in the humid, warm greenhouse conditions so favored by mesophytic Cryptanthus species. Instead, C. warasii thrives with warm sunny days, cool nights, and plenty of air circulation, in a 4 or 5 inch pot filled with cactus-type soil mixed with about 50 percent pumice or perlite. Frequent spring and summer fertilization with a dilute solution of a balanced fertilizer produces a plant that does credit to the grower.
This charming plant presents two challenges. The first challenge is to find one, the second is to grow it successfully. —SeeBradea
