DISCUSSION
Repeated observations of specimens in cultivation have proven that this taxon is sufficiently differentiated morphologically to merit its elevation to species rank. Leaf pattern and inflorescence traits indicate that this bromeliad is more closely related to C. billbergioides, contrary to the original conception. Its most important distinguishing traits are the much shorter floral scape, which is less than 1.5 times as long as the leaf sheaths, the more numerous scape bracts with even those on the lower half exceeding the length of the internodes, the primary bracts with an abruptly acuminate-caudate apex, flowers slightly fragrant, and petals subspreading-recurved at anthesis, with the central base of the lobes green.
The habit, leaf texture, inflorescence structure and fruit color of this species are very similar to C. billbergioides. Conversely, the position of the inflorescence in relation to the leaf rosette, the slightly fragrant flowers, petal structure and the way the petals open at anthesis all are reminiscent of C. microps. These data suggest that C. elata occupies an intermediate taxonomic position between C. microps and C. billbergioides, but is more closely related to the latter species in terms of morphology.
Canistropsis elata was known only from the type locality. It has disappeared from this site together with the flooded lowland Atlantic forest which was its habitat. Some 10 years ago, I had the opportunity to visit the exact spot in Mambucaba where the type collection was made. At that time, the town of Mambucaba had crept dangerously close to the spot, and today, it is entirely occupied by housing projects.
This species once lived on the non-flooded part of the forest floor, at an altitude of approximately 50 m, not too far from the ocean. C. elata may have survived in the remnant vegetation of the nearby slopes, but if this is not the case, its extinction in situ is inevitable because of the historic process of clearing lowland forests due to pressure from urban and industrial expansion and farming.
Canistropsis elata is well established in cultivation because of the clone that originated the holotype. It produces many seeds which means that this species will probably survive ex situ. —SeeLeme 1998
