DISCUSSION
One of the most striking characteristics of A. echinata and that which gives it its name is the inflorescence provided with long spines, like a sea urchin. The spines that adorn the apex of the bracts and sepals of this bromeliad are easily 15 mm long, the longest reported for this group. The taxon is readily identitled (even when flowers are absent) because of this trait. The petals of A. echinata are narrowly lanceolate, with an acuminate apex, and remain suberect at anthesis. The lilac petals contrast sharply with the reddish orange color of the inflorescence.
A. echinata and A. weberi are morphologically very similar (see below), but they are easily differentiated even when sterile. Aechmea weberi propagates by stolons and produccs a much smaller and narrower leaf rosette, with leaves entire, or nearly so, inflorescence mostly pale green and sepals connate at the base. It is interesting to note that A. aripensis (N. E. Brown) Pittendrigh from Trinidad and Venezuela (Smith & Downs, 1979) also shows a certain degree of affinity with A. echinata.
In both of these species, the lanate inflorescence is similar in structure, the sepals are free with a long spinescent apical mucro, and the petals come in bluish hues. However, the pollen of A. aripensis has four pores (Smith & Downs, 1979), while that of A. echinata is biporate and greatly resembles that of A . mollis according to Halbritter & Till (unpubl. data).
Aechmea echinata begins to flower in early April. This period probably extends only into June since the petals of plants collected in July were not preserved.
DISTRIBUTION & HABITAT
This species is endemic to the region of Urucuca and Itacare in southern Bahia. The collections available indicate that it inhabits a restricted area covered by Atlantic forest that is being cut down to make room tor farming and cattle raising. It grows only on the dense litter layer in shady habitats, at 30-100 m altitude. A. echinata forms small, scattered populations and is sympatric with other endemic bromeliads such as Aechmea amorimii Leme, Lymania corallina (Beer) Read and L. globosa Leme. It has not been recorded within the boundaries of any government conservation unit. p. Canistrum Brom Atl forest
