Synonyms and Further Comments Elton M. C. Leme in JBS 2002 p199-201
In the second article, Moreira & Wanderley (2000) described a new species, Nidularium longiscapum E. A. Moreira & Wand., based on specimens (holotype in SP and isotype in RE) cultivated by the eminent botanist Eduardo Luiz Martins Catharino, who collected it in the county of Eananal, sao Paulo State. Two other specimens, from different regions of the State of sao Paulo, were designated as paratypes.
At first glance, N. longiscapum species appears to be cospecific to N. corallinum (Leme) Leme, an endemic taxon from the same region of Bananal, Sao Paulo State. However, some conflicting data in the protologue (i.e., Latin diagnosis, description, discussion and figure) was detected, which suggested the need of re-evaluation of the type material of N longiscapum. For example, in the Latin diagnosis the petals are described as purple ("petalis in lobis cuculatis, purpuratis"), but in the description it is stated the flowers are pink ("flores. rosas") with pink petals ("petalas rosas"). Once again, in the discussion item, they pointed out the purple color of the petals. Also, the petals appendages were described as having a fimbriate apex, while in the figure 1d their apex is irregularly dentate.
Unfortunately, after consulting the involved herbaria (i.e., SP, SPSF and RB), I was informed that the holotype, isotype and paratypes of N. longiscapum were still on loan to Moreira & Wanderley, and not available for loan or even for examination (J. R. Grant, J. A. Pastore and E. R. Silva, pers. comm.). However, the collector of N. longiscapum, Eduardo L. M. Catharino, still had the original clone in cultivation and in June 2001 kindly provided a mature living specimen in full bloom.
After examining this living "clonotype" of N. longiscapum it was confirmed that its coral red colored petals, the leaf and bract conformation, and the floral morphology are identical to the characteristics presented by N. corallinum, which suggestively came from the same type locality (i.e, Bananal, Sao Paulo). The single peculiar difference is related to the green leafed color of the living clone of N. longiscapum and the wine-purplish abaxial color of the leaves of N. corallinum. This kind of variation is very common in Nidularium [e. g., N. amazonicum (Baker) Linden & E. Morren ex Lindm., N. antoineanum Wawra, N apiculatum L. B. Sm., N innocentii Lem., N krisgreeniae Leme, N procerum Lindm.] and in other bromelioid genera as well (e. g., Aechmea, Canistropsis and Lymania) and is seen as an adaptation to shady habitats (Leme, 2000). Thus, the phenomenon is not consistent enough to taxonomically segregate N. longiscapum from N. corallinum. The full synonym citation follows:
BASIONYM: Wittrockia corallina Leme, J Bromeliad Soc. 42 (2): 51, fig. 1, 2, 1992. SYNONYM: Nidularium longiscapum B. A. Moreira & Wand., Acta bot. bras. 14 (I): 122-123, fig. 1, Jan.-Abr. 2000. Type: Sao Paulo, Bananal, Sede da Probocaina, 10 Jun. 1995, E. Catharino s. n. legit, fl. cult. Sao Paulo Botanic garden 540 (holotype SP, n. v.; isotype RB, n. v.; clonotype: HB). Paratypes: Sao Paulo, Biritiba Mirim, Est. Ecol. Boraceia, 10 Jun. 1984, Custodio Filho 2399 (SPSF, n. v.); Lavrinhas, 12 km north Lavrinhas, Vale do Ribeirao do Braco, 6 Apr. 1995, Kinoshita & Moreira 9520 (SP; n. v.). See Luther (2001).
Finally, comparing the morphological characteristics of the flowering clonotype of N. longiscapum and the description and drawing in its protologue, I found the discrepancies listed below:
1) flowers are ca. 40 mm long, but not 29 mm long. The shorter length may suggest that an immature flower was measured.
2) Sepals are ca. 20 mm long and connate at base for ca. 3 mm, and not 18 mm long neither connate for 1 mm, which may suggest a mistake when cutting and measuring the sepals.
3) Petals are ca. 30 mm long, but not 20 mm long, suggesting again that an immature flower was measured. Their color is coral red ( as depicted in its description), and not purple as indicated in the diagnosis and discussion item. The basal appendages are long fimbriate, as described, but not irregularly dentate as portrayed in figure Id, as well as the petals apex is obtuse-cucullate, but not truncate like the same drawing.
4) The ovary is 10 mm long, and not 4 mm long. Curiously, the immature fruits were described as having 10 mm long.
Despite the already mentioned impossibility of examining the type material of N. longiscapum (i.e, not available for loan or inaccessible to non authorized persons ), which was compensated for by the available flowering living clonotype, and taking into consideration the discrepancies highlighted above and the fact that Moreira & Wanderley (2000) artificially related their species to Canistropsis billbergioides (Schult. F.) Leme, it is reasonable to speculate that the paratypes designated in the protologue, or at least one of them, may belong to a distinct species of another genus. In the speculation field, considering the origin of the paratype from Biritiba Mirim, Est. Ecol. Boraceia (SPSF), it is possible to state it may represent Canistropsis exigua (E. Pereira & Leme) Leme. That region is the type locality of C. exigua and its shorter petals appendages and the ovary 5- 7 mm long only may justify some of the reported morphological discrepancies attributed to N. longiscapum. The paratype from Lavrinhas (SP) may represent some species of the "blue complex" of Nidularium, probably N antoineanum or N meeanum Leme, Wand. & Mollo, and justify the confusion concerning the erroneously reported purple color of the petals.
Finally, the new specimen of N. corallinum recently introduced in cultivation under the synonym N. longiscapum represents a valuable addition to ex-situ conservation of this endemic and rarely seen species. Horticulture should also welcome this lighter leafed colored clone of N. corallinum, which provides a more intensely ornamental contrast to the apical red color of its primary bracts. —SeeJ. Bromeliad Soc.
DISTRI BUTION & HABITAT
There are only two collections of N. corallinum and both are from the Bananal area of Sao Paulo state inland in the Bocaina region near the border with Rio de Janeiro. According to these data, the species is endemic to this area where it grows as an epiphyte in the understory of the Atlantic slope forest at ca. 1,300 m altitude. It is sparsely distributed forming small isolated clumps, and flowers from May to August.
There is only one clone in cultivation and it is a direct descendent of the type specimen. —SeeLeme 2000a
