Tillandsia cuencaensis / azuayensis
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Tillandsia cuencaensis (not yet published)
Formerly going by name of tequendamae, then named as wuelfinghoffii, then described as azuayensis.
Peter Tristram 11/13 ... "This TV has been around since the early 80s when I imported it from Jeff Kent and late 80s when Harry gave me one.
As far as I can ascertain it is Tillandsia cuencaensis NYP and, if so, Derek will need to change the names of this plant currently under TV azuayensis in the dvd.
Unfortunately it has also had the name yellow tequendamae and wuelfinghoffii, as Harry looked for a match, before azuayensis was described and cuencaensis was proposed.
I have asked Renate, Hiro, Eric and Walter if this species can be formalised - I now also have a specimen each from Renate and Walter bearing cuencaensis. The description has been prepared (and edited by Derek) for a while now.
Having grown it rather protected for 30 years I have decided to whack a few pups out with the tough stuff – check the habitat pics on the dvd (under NYP). I can’t remember if Len visited this plant in Ecuador??"
Peter Tristram 12/19 ... "This nice TV has certainly had some names/proposed names. I am, again, considering trying to get Renate’s description (updated by Hiro), T. cuencaensis, published finally. Some collectors have seen it in habitat, on rocks, between Oña and Cuenca, Ecuador. The plant pictured is from my original import from Jeff Kent back in the early ‘80s. I have another clone from Walter (Vienna BG) too, as T. aureispica. For now, I label it T/V cuencaensis."
| Len Colgan 11/13. Unknown species from same location. |
Len Colgan 11/13. T. cuencaensis. |
Len Colgan ... "Well, I certainly went looking for it in my first trip to Ecuador in 2009!
I was told that it came from significant altitude in an area north-west of Ona, which is south of the city of Cuenca after which the species is now named.
This is in the province of Azuay, which is where the other name originated.
Before leaving home, I received some pictures from Hiroyuki, who was then comparing notes with Renate, as it appeared they had both separately come across this then undefined species.
I have attached two of those Hiroyuki images, albeit adding the current name.
Unfortunately, the TVs I saw in the general area were all post-floral by quite some time. Nevertheless, I collected two types (two plants each), all of which I labelled as "aff cylindrica", being the only existing name I could imagine in 2009. None have yet flowered here.
One of them was the plant I showed in Albury which now looks remarkably like the short caulescent form of T. latifolia var divaricata. However, surely I could not have confused that ubiquitous tillandsia species with a TV, could I? Hmm! That one is definitely not TV. cuencaensis though.
I have also added the pictures(on left) of another unknown TV, taken by Hiroyuki. It grows somewhat high up on the edge of the main highway as you leave the outskirts of the city of Cuenca, heading west. Hiroyuki was very excited at having found it, and made me promise we would look for it, by giving us accurate directions. Unfortunately, it was nearing sunset when we arrived there, and despite climbing up some distance, we could not find it. No doubt it was just a little bit further up. I have never been back to that location, sadly. I think it is a very nice looking TV. What do others think? Damn, damn, damn!"
| Ray Clark 08/22 |
Ray Clark 09/22 |
| Ray Clark 11/22 finally with flowers |
Updated 23/11/22