Pitcairnia phelpsiae (L.B.Sm.) B.Holst & L.B.Sm.
Literature references:
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Comments:
- Notes from Holst in Flora of Venez. Guayana, 1997
A collection in bud from Cerro Paru (Cowan & Wurdack 31261, NY) has been cited as belonging to this species (Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 14(3): 113. 1974), but is better referred to Pitcairnia filispina.
A collection from Cerro Coro Coro at 2200 m elevation (Huber 12315, MO, VEN) is similar to Pitcairnia phelpsiae, but larger in all respects and with the inflorescence more densely lepidote; it may represent a distinct species. p. Flora of Venez. Guayana
- Lyman Smith originally published this species in Puya even though he noted it more resembles other Venezuelan Pitcairnia species than those of Puya. He chose not to place it in Pitcairnia, however, because it had a superior ovary and winged seeds, a combination of characters that was apparently unknown in the genus at that time. Examination of a fragment of the type (US), and a recent collection from the type locality (Huber 11915, VEN), shows that the ovary is actually about 1/4 inferior. Also, as mentioned above, the alate seeds are the defining character of Pitcairnia subgenus Pepinia. Finally, its closest relatives are other Guayana Shield Pitcairnia species such as P. cana and P. ctenophylla L.B. Sm. .
Pitcairnia phelpsiae is known only from Amazonas State of Venezuela at 2,100-2,300 meters elevation on two sandstone table mountains, Cerro Yavi where the type is from, and Cerro Paru 150 kilometers to the south.
from Holst in Flora of Venez. Guayana, 1997
A collection in bud from Cerro Paru (Cowan & Wurdack 31261, NY) has been cited as belonging to this species (Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 14(3): 113. 1974), but is better referred to Pitcairnia filispina.
A collection from Cerro Coro Coro at 2200 m elevation (Huber 12315, MO, VEN) is similar to Pitcairnia phelpsiae, but larger in all respects and with the inflorescence more densely lepidote; it may represent a distinct species. —See Smith & Downs 1974
- Pitcairnia phelpsiae (L.B. Sm.) B. Holst & L.B. Smith, J. Brom. Soc. 43: 256. 1993. Basionym: Puya phelpsiae L.B. Sm., Brittonia 7:78.1950.
Type. Venezuela. Amazonas: Cerro Yavi, summit, 2,200 m, 1-3 Mar. 1947, K Phelps & Hitchcock 68 (holotype, NY, fragment of type, US).
Lyman Smith originally published this species in Puya even though he noted it more resembles other Venezuelan Pitcairnia species than those of Puya. He chose not to place it in Pitcairnia, however, because it had a superior ovary and winged seeds, a combination of characters that was apparently unknown in the genus at that time. Examination of a fragment of the type (US), and a recent collection from the type locality (Huber 11915, VEN), shows that the ovary is actually about 1/4 inferior. Also, as mentioned above, the alate seeds are the defining character of Pitcairnia subgenus Pepinia. Finally, its closest relatives are other Guayana Shield Pitcairnia species such as P. cana and P. ctenophylla L.B. Sm. .
Pitcairnia phelpsiae is known only from Amazonas State of Venezuela at 2,100-2,300 meters elevation on two sandstone table mountains, Cerro Yavi where the type is from, and Cerro Paru 150 kilometers to the south. —See Holst 1993 p. 256
