40- 61.1
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Aechmea andaquiensis Betancur & AguirreSantoro |
(subgen. Aechmea)Publ: Brittonia 71(1?): 5-8 figs. 2, 3 (2018)
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Distribution: Colombia: Caquetá
Habitat: Epiphytic on isolated trees near trails of densely forested areas of humid tropical forests of eastern slopes of the Andes, 470-590 m. Elev.
Etymology: Aechmea andaquiensis is named after the Andaquí or Andakí indigenous group, which inhabited the territory where this species was found. The name andakí or daakí, is linked to the ritual consumption of yajé, a name that some indigenous languages adopt as a synonym of andakí. Yajé is a preparation of great healing power for South American indigenous cultures and includes "borrachero" flowers. According to mythology, the flower of the borrachero became the sun after being penetrated and fertilized by the yajé (Ramírez de Jara & Pinzón, 1987). This name also honors the local community of Belén de los Andaquíes and its effort to propel conservation actions to protect their forests. In the Belén de Los Andaquíes municipality, 59% of the territory is protected in ten natural reserves, nine of which correspond to natural municipal parks. One of these parks is the Andaquí municipal park, where Aechmea andaquiensis was found. This park is crossed by a muddy and steep trail that connects the crest of the Andes Mountains with the Amazonian plain. These topographical characteristics made the Colombian government declare it a "Green Municipality, Protector of Water" in 2013.