Cryptanthus scaposus Pereira

Literature references:

Bradea: 2:253h Gross 1997: 95:41 J. Crypt. Soc.: 1(2):5h 2(4):10 U.S. Nat. Herb.

Comments:

• One unusual Cryptanthus was described in 1978 by PEREIRA as C. scaposus which differs from from all other types because of its scape. The plant is rather like an Orthophytum. Typical Cryptanthus have a rosette arranged leaves, that spread across the ground, with a scape-less inflorescence in the middle of the leaf rosette. The German name " Erdsterne " (Earth Star) is an apt name for this shape.
  
  A plant from the type specimen of C. scaposus B.G.H. 56 743 reached the Botanical Gardens of the University of Heidelberg from Roberto Kautsky, Domingos Martin, Espirito Santo, Brazil.
  At the same time PEREIRA published var. kautskyanus, that differs in narrower sheaths and blades, as well as through brown lepidote sheaths with erect edges.
  
  Thanks to
  Mr. Elton M.C. Leme, Brazil, was helpful with the determination of Cryptanthus scaposus. —See Bradea