Aechmea Echidna
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Aechmea Echidna
cv. of recurvata x chantinii.
Aechmea `Echidna' by D Butcher.
At the February 2000 meeting of the Bromeliad Society of South Australia we discussed the hybrid Aechmea recurvata x chantinii. This plant had come to us from Queensland but originally from the USA with hybridist unknown. There is, allegedly, an Aechmea chantinii x recurvata which is said to be different but I have yet to have it proven.
What I find intriguing is that the inflorescence shows no Aechmea chantinii traits and looks similar to A. 'Chas Hodgson' which is A. recurvata x fasciata. So now I doubt the A. chantinii involvement.
To digress for one moment. The Australian Aechmea recurvata x fasciata seemed to have originated in the Melbourne area hence the cultivar name of 'Chas Hodgson' being allotted. In my archival records of letters between Bill Morris and Julian Nally in the early 1960's there is reference to a successful hybrid between these species done by Naureen Morris (Bill's wife) and I have been unable to find any other record in past Bromeletters (The Australian Society's Journal). What I do find difficult is a link between Warner's Bay just north of Newcastle NSW where the Morris's lived at the time, and Melbourne. It is possible that Clarrie Borch may have been the link. Whatever, the name Aechmea 'Chas Hodgson' applies! This is not the first time I have come across the Americans being vague with their parentage with A. fasciata and A. chantinii as I found out when trying to resolve the true parentage of xCanmea 'Smokey'. Two references in the BSI Journal by reputable authors show different parentages. See 'Uncle Derek Says'.
In this case I notice that there is an Aechmea 'Donna Marie' in the USA but whether it is the same as our hybrid is conjecture until we can get a photograph.
One way to solve this dilemma was to give this clone a name and despite me suggesting 6 "outstanding" names each was rejected in turn and the matter was put to the meeting. Joan Williams suggested 'Echidna' because the plant was in Australia and had rigid leaves that could be likened to spines on the back of our indigenous Echidna! This name was passed unanimously.
NOTE for non-Australians - An Echidna is an Australian spiny ant-eater. It is an insectivorous monotreme which means it is a mammal that lays eggs and eats insects! It also has a pouch, of sorts!.
We do know this plant is alive in the USA because the fcbs.org Webmaster 'discovered' it in his garden. If you do have this plant perhaps you could give it a new label.
Updated 29/01/26
