This new variety is within the type T. latifolia E Meyen, which up to now is treated as having: var. latifolia, var. major Mez and var. divaricata Mez. The two first-named varieties have their habitat in the coastal area of Peru where kms˛ are covered with large stretches of sand through which proliferates inflorescences and vegetation (See fig57 in Rauh "Bromelien" Book1, 1970). In the northern and central Peru they also mostly populate the precipitation-poor Andean cross-valleys, on naked rockwalls in high ground to 1000 m.
The habitat of var. divaricata (Benth) Mez, stretches from central-Ecuador to south Peru. Mez distinguishes var. divaricata from the type by the spikes being at right angles to the rhachis at anthesis. The floral bracts are less strongly scaled, even abundantly glabrous and shiny crimson; so never showing grey. Regarding its standing it seems var. divaricata is quite variable in its growing habits. It grows above all in southern Ecuador where it is terrestrial and forms large masses; but lives also epiphytically in North Peru, on trees and cactus, usually as single plants. It grows from 500 m high on the Pacific side of the Andes to about 2800 m and to the inner Andean drylands where the highlands are between 1,500 and 2800 m.
The var divaricata is also quite variable in how it grows. It can be stemless or form long stems ( Shoots to 1,5m long), the leaves softer and thinner than the type, less densely scaled and clearly virtually glabrous. The inflorescences are mostly erect; its thinner scape is long and strong and sometimes can be 1 m long.
One in our opinion was a typical var. divaricata growing epiphytically (see Abb 11). In this form of growth, it is to be not often found in the valley of Rio Chancay and grows as an epiphyte on Bursera graveolens, a small deciduous tree with aromatic smelling wood. It grows in association with Andean xerophytic tillandsias like T. caerulea HBK, T. juncea (R. & P.) Le Conte, T. multiflora Benth. var. multiflora, a grey very strong scaled form of T. disticha HBK, T. capillaris R. & P. and T. usneoides L.
On the basis of its ± spreading spikes and glabrous floral bracts the new var. leucophylla is very close to var. divaricata,but differs in the following characteristics:
It grows exclusively on steep rocks; the leaf blades of the flat extended rosette are ± succulent, their tips usually rolled spirally, and very dense, erect white scaled; the 40-60 cm tall inflorescence hangs laxly downwards, only rarely are they erect; the scape bracts are almost glabrous and only scaled at the tip; the pale red to straw-yellow floral bracts are also almost glabrous, shiny and grey waxy, which is never the case with var. divaricata. In Abb. 11 both varieties are shown side by side in order to clarify the existing differences.
The var. leucophylla only seems to grow on high ground between 600 to 800 m. It is from the valley of Rio Chancay and a Peruvian endemic and very seldom forms large clumps, growing in association with T.heteromorpha Mez , that until now was only known from the type locality, the valley of Rio Puncha, above Masin (Prov). Huari, Dpt. Ancash, at 2000m growing on rocks. —SeeRauh 1974c
