Bromelia michaelii Esteves, Hofacker & Scharf

Literature references:

Esteves et al. 2012b: 2012(3): 129-131, Esteves et al. 2015: 22

Comments:

• Habitat and distribution. The new species described herein, Bromelia michaelii, is native to the south-western to south-eastern region of the Alto Paraiso of Goias in the Brazilian state of Goias. The habitats are situated at elevations between 700 and 1120 m. It is an apparently endemic, terrestrial bromelioid, which occurs in sandy soils or on rocky outcrops, where it usually forms scattered colonies. Some habitats are known in so-called Private Reservations of the Natural Patrimony - RPPNs. But, in areas without protection, most of the remaining plants are old specimens, since domestic animals, e.g. equines and bovines, discovered inflorescences and fruits of the species as an alternative source of food after their introduction in the reservations. Therefore, generative propagation is impeded. The new species, B. michaelii, grows together with other Brome-liaceae, such as: B. irwinii L.B. Sm., B. villosa Mez, B. sp. E-781; Dyckia lindemldae Rauh, D. machrisiana L.B. Sm., and Tillandsia streptocarpa Baker. —See Esteves et al. 2012b