Dyckia atratiflora P.J.Braun, Esteves & Scharf
Literature references:
Comments:
- Distr. Brazil, state of Goias, closer and farther surroundings of the capital Goiania, in a more dense and closed type of Campo Cerrado,
Conservation status
Goiania has been founded just 70 years ago, but it developed in the last two decades into one of the largest cities in Brazil with more than two million inhabitants. The unlimited growth will continue in the future. The cities in the closer and farther surroundings expand too. Due to this extreme urbanisation and the nearly complete transformation of central and southern Goias into intensively used agricul¬tural areas, the original Campos Cerrados (on red, comparably rich soils) disappear with breathtaking speed. All native habitats are completely and irretrievably replaced by pastures and plantations. Already today, from the originally nine known localities, only two are still left! The conservation status of Dyckia atratiflora has to be ranked as criti¬cally endangered.
Unfortunately, Dyckia atratiflora has not been discovered earlier, which may have led to an integration into the (at least some) col¬lections. The reason for it is the inconspicu¬ousness of the plants, despite the size. The rosettes are not flashy and the soft, lanceolate leaves camouflage the plants between dense grasses, herbs, and shrubs. Finally, the dark flowers also don't send any signal, at least to the human eye. —See Die Bromelie
