Canistropsis microps forma bicensis (Ule) Leme
Literature references:
*move your mouse pointer over the page numbers to see comment
Comments:
- DISCUSSION
Canistropsis microps f. bicensis was established only on the basis of the wine~purple to reddish-wine color that is found especially on the abaxial leaf surface. Although I stated in the introductory paty of this chapter 9discussion) that this color phenomenon is common in Canistropsis and in other bromelioid genera, I decided to preserve this taxon for the simple reason that I could not examine specimens of recent wild origin (see next topic) and verify the existence of other distinguishing traits associated with leaf color. The only live specimen examined was given to me by Australian collector W Morris, in March 1986, and was probably introduced to cultivation decades ago, making it impossible to know what changes occurred in the course of its horticultural history.
The type collection of C. microps f. bicensis came from the Serra da Bica (Morro da Bica) in Cascadura, a suburb of the city of Rio de Janeiro. Ule wrote: "forma in Serra Bicae copiose observatur". Today, the landscape has changed completely. Decades ago this area was occupied by a slum and, as a result, the original habitat of this taxon - Atlantic forest, and rocky outcrops, that covered these mountains in the final decade of the 19th century - was totally destroyed. For lack of additional field data, is seems logical to conclude that this lovely form of C. microps is now extinct in the area where it grew originally. —See Leme 1998