DISCUSSION in Nidularium- Brom. Atl. Forest 214. 2000
Canistrnm lanigerum differs from the similar and related C. sandrae by having leaf blades more evenly spinose; a shorter scape; a distinctly corymbose, subglobose inflorescence that is densely brown-lanate at anthesis and with less developed involucral bracts; broader, more lanate floral bracts with a shorter apical mucro; slightly broader sepals that are more densely lanate apically, and free petals that are inconspicuously and irregularly dentate-appendaged. Although restrictions as to the conceptual limits of Aechmea cited at the beginning of the chapter still hold, it is apparent that morphologically, C. lanigerum is one of the most closely related species to the "southern Bahia complex" of Aechmea. This is also true for C. sandrae.
Canistrum lanigerum grows in the shade of transitional restinga forest. The species apparently flowers in the wild from March to July; it was collected in fruit in August.
There is presently only one clone in cultivation and it is a descendent of the type specimen. —SeeBromelia
