DISCUSSION
Canistrum auratum is one of the most peculiar species in the subgenus Cucullatanthus. Morphologically, it is closely related to C. seidelianum, from which it differs only in its sub cylindrical leaf rosette, entirely green leaf blades, golden yellow primary bracts and smaller floral bracts and flowers. The pollen is quite different, however, resembling that of the genus Nidularium, s. lato (Halbritter & Till, unpubl. data) . All the same, C. auratum fits easily in the genus Canistrum because of its floral morphology, which is compatible with that of the other species in the subgenus.
Alvim Seidel, collector of the type of C. auratum, indicated Minas Gerais, near Manhuacu as the site of his collection. But this locality does not conform to the geographic distribution pattern of the genus. Furthermore, the existence of a specimen from Una municipality, in Bahia, an area of moist Atlantic forest, raises more questions as to the true distribution of this species. This problem will only be solved by additional collections that could provide more data on the plant's habitat. But at today's deforestation rates, it has become increasingly difficult, or even impossible, to find this species again in the wild.
There are very few specimens of C. auratum in cultivation. All arose from the original clone, which does not guaranteed the survival of this species ex situ. Very little data is available on its phenology. The type specimen flowered in cultivation, in Rio de Janeiro, in December 1990, and the only other specimen examined flowered in February 1986. These two months probably represent the extremes of flowering for this species, as in other Canistrum species. —SeeLeme 1997a
