Tillandsia carminea W. Till., spec. nova (Abb. 1)
Planta caulescens, caulis ramosus et usque 15 cm longus, sed pars foliata solum circa 7 cm longa; folia secunda, spissa et rigida, involuta, 4-5 cm longa, base ad 12 mm lata, triangularia, acuta, adpresse albocinereo lepidota et ergo griseo-veneta esse videntur, in margine anguste squamis limbata, vagina a lamina non distincta, concolor.
Inflorescentia simplex; scapus brevis et in foliis celatus, deorsus; bracteae scapi bracteis florigeris similes sed breve laminatae. Flores polystichae, sessiles, 9-11. Bracteae florigerae late ovatae, 17 mm longae, carmineae, glabrae sed apice lepidotae, leviter nervatae. Sepala lanceolata, acuta, posteriora carinata, omnia 2 mm connata, 14 mm longa, glabra; petala lingulata, atrolazulina; stamina et stylus inclusa.
Habitat in rupibus fere verticalibus. - Planta domicilium pro insectis cimicibus similibus (observatio collectoris!).
Typus: Brazil, state of Rio de Janeiro, Serra dos Orgaos SE of Teresopolis, 1950 m. s. m., legit Dr. H. et L. HROMADNIK Nr. 6160, August 1980. Holotypus WU.
Plant caulescent, stems branched and up to 15cm long.
Leaves secund, dense and rigid, rolled inwards, 4–5cm long, to 12mm wide at base, triangular, acute, adpressed greyish white lepidote and therefore looks a greyish blue, bordered with narrow scales, sheath not distinct rom blade, concolorous.
Inflorescence simple.
Scape short and hidden in the leaves, pointing downward.
Scape bracts similar to flower bracts but with short blade.
Flowers polystichous, sessile, 9– 11.
Flower bracts wide ovate, 17mm long, carmine, glabrous but tip lepidote, lightly nerved.
Sepals lancelike, acute, posterior ones keeled, all joined for 2mm, 14mm long, naked.
Petals tongue like, dark blue
Style & Stamens enclosed
Habitat on verical rocks Plants growing with insects like bed bugs (Collectors' observation!)
Type Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Organ Mountains, SE of Teresopolis, 1950m.leg. Dr. H & L Hromadnik Nr. 6160 Aug. 1980. Holotype WU
Tillandsia carminea is certainly into the complex of T. stricta Solander, but differs from that clearly by the stem forming growth, the strongly secund and stiff leaves and the dark carmine red floral bracts. Furthermore T. carminea grows on almost vertical cliffs on the non seaward side of the Organ mountains together with another Tillandsia from the Subgenus Anoplophytum - a white leaved possibly T. brachyphylla Baker or similar -, a Sophronitis sp. and numerous lichens. T. stricta is an epiphyte and is separated ecologically from T. carminea.
Abstract
T. carminea is a new, morphologically and ecologically distinct species, related to T. stricta Solander, which occurs in the Serra dos Orgaos near Teresopolis, Brazil. It has been taken for T. rosea Lindley, but new investigations have shown that T. rosea is a synonym to T. stricta and that T. carminea is a good and distinct species.