Wittmackia penduliflora (A.Rich.) Aguirre-Santoro (2017: 637)

Aguirre-Santoro, Julián, 2018, Taxonomic revision of the Caribbean-endemic species of Wittmackia (Bromeliaceae), Phytotaxa 336 (2), pp. 101-147 : 129-130

12. Wittmackia penduliflora (A.Rich.) Aguirre-Santoro (2017: 637) . Basionym: Pitcairnia penduliflora A.Rich. in De La Sagra (1850: 262) . Hohenbergia penduliflora (A.Rich.) Mez (1896: 135) . TYPE:— CUBA. No locality, no date, R. De La Sagra s.n. (holotype P!)

Aechmea virens Brongn. ex Baker (1889: 45) . Hohenbergia virens (Brongn. ex Baker) Mez (1934: 163) . TYPE:—FRENCH GUYANA. in Paris Hortus, 1848, Quesnel s.n. (holotype P!). Comment: this specimen was probably collected originally in the West Indies rather than French Guyana.

Aechmea wrightii Baker (1879: 163) . Aechmea distans Grisebach (1866: 253) [nom. illeg.] non Aechmea distans Grisebach (1864: 592) . TYPE:— CUBA. Prope villam Monte Verde dictam Cuba orientali, January to July 1859, C. Wright 1525 (holotype B!, isotypes BHUPM, BREM, GH!, K!, NY!, P, PH, US!).

Plant epiphytic, rupicolous, cespitose, 100–130 cm tall; rosette broad. Leaves 77–103 cm long, coriaceous; sheaths conspicuous, oblong, 18–21 × 10–15.2 cm, pale brown, lepidote on both surfaces, serrate, the teeth 0.7–1(–2) mm long; blades lingulate, 82–100 cm long, (6.5–) 8.5–12 cm wide at the base, (6.5–) 7.9–13 cm wide in the middle, green, smooth, lepidote on both surfaces, more densely on the abaxial side, apex initially aobtuse to rounded, then ending in a sharp and acuminate mucro, margins serrate, the teeth evenly, triangular to hook-shaped, straight to antrorse, green, 0.5–2 × 0–7- 0.9 mm,. Inflorescence erect to pendulous; peduncle almost completely exposed out of the rosette, stout, pliable, 32–73 cm long, 3–10 mm in diameter, green, floccose, central internodes 4–10.2 cm, distal internodes (0.5–) 2.2–5 cm; peduncle bracts shorter to longer than the internodes, marcescent, membranaceous, nervose, green, occasionally dull purple, the central erect, imbricate, lanceolate, 5.7–8.5 × 0.8–3 cm, floccose-lepidote on both surfaces, apex acuminate, margins entire, occasionally serrulate, the teeth irregularly distributed, the distal ones suberect, imbricate, lanceolate, 4.5–8.2 × 0.4–1.5 cm, floccose on both surfaces, entire, apex acuminate to attenuate; fertile part of the inflorescence conical to cylindrical, 14–63 cm long, 5.2–10.8 cm wide in the middle, 1-divided, occasionally 2-divided, branches (13–) 30 to 65 in number, polystichous, rachis straight, green, (13.5–)18–46(–62) cm long, 3–4(–7) mm in diameter, floccose. Primary bracts similar to the peduncle bracts, gradually diminishing in size towards the apex of the inflorescence, diverging from the rachis to divaricate, marcescent, membranaceous, nervose, shorter to longer than the branches; the basal ones lanceolate, 3.3–4.6(–6) × 0.4–1.2 cm, green, occasionally dull purple, floccose-lepidote abaxially, glabrous adaxially, entire, apex acuminate to attenuate; the apical ones lanceolate, 0.8–1.3(–1.7) × 0.2–0.3 cm, green, occasionally dull purple, floccose on both surfaces, entire, apex attenuate. Spikes ovoid to cylindrical, 0.9–4.8 cm long, 1.2–2.4 cm wide in the middle; stipes partially covered by the primary bracts, 1.3–1.9 mm long, 2–3 mm in diameter, terete, floccose, 10–20(–30) flowered; rachis of the spike 0.9–4.8 cm long. Floral bracts gradually diminishing in size towards the apex of the spike, partially enfolding the ovaries, imbricate, forming an angle of 45º–120º with the rachis, concave, coriaceous, ovate, 4–9 × 4.4–8 mm, green, nervose, ecarinate, floccose-lepidote abaxially, glabrescent adaxially, serrulate, occasionally entire, apex initially acute, then ending in a sharp and acuminate mucro of 1.2–3.8 mm long. Flowers forming an angle of 45º–120º with the rachis, 4–9 mm long. Calyx dorsiventrally compressed; sepals coriaceous, asymmetrical, 3.5–6.2 mm long, 4.3 mm wide at the base, the unwinged side 1.5 mm wide, the winged side 3 mm wide, green, both surfaces smooth, sparsely floccose to glabrescent, mucronate, mucro 1–2.5 mm long. Corolla tubular, apically spreading; petals 10.8–18 × 1.3–4 mm, white, occasionally green, glabrous, entire, apex acute to obtuse; petal appendages flanking the antepetalous stamens, originating at 6.5 mm from the petal base. Stamens included; filaments flattened, 7.8–11 mm long, 0.1–0.7 mm in diameter, white; anthers rectangular, 2.1–4 × 0.3–0.8 mm, white to cream, apiculate. Ovary ovoid, dorsiventrally compressed, 3–4.9 mm long, 3.7–7.6 mm in diameter, green, glabrescent to sparsely floccose; epigynous tube 0.4–1.2 mm long; ovules more than 30 per ovary, globose. Style longer than the stamens, cylindrical, 7.3–18 mm long, white to green; stigma papillose, white to light green, 0.7–1.8 mm long. Fruits ovoid, dorsiventrally compressed, 9.2–18 mm long, 4.7–6.7 mm in diameter, bluish, floccose. Seeds club-shaped, 1.9 × 0.6 mm, grey to reddish-brown ( Fig. 14 ).

Etymology:— The specific epithet refers to the pendulous spikes of the type specimen.

Distribution, habitat, and phenology:— Wittmackia penduliflora is a widespread species in Cuba and Jamaica at 0–1200 m elevation ( Fig. 2 ). It grows on diverse ecosystems including coastal and in-land forested limestone formations, and montane moist forests of more complex geology such as the Blue and John Crow Mountains in Jamaica and Sierra Maestra in Cuba. Collected in flower from May to December.

Conservation status:— Wittmackia penduliflora is categorized here as Near Threatened (NT; IUCN 2001) because it is restricted to Jamaica and Cuba, but its distribution is widespread within the forested areas of both islands.

Taxonomic comments and affinities:— Wittmackia penduliflora is a phenotypically variable species characterized by its short to medium stipitate, subglobose to cylindrical spikes, acuminate to acute floral bracts, and relatively long flowers (13–20 mm long). These characteristics makes it similar to W. portoricensis but differs from this species by its longer and broader leaves (82–100 × (6.5–)7.9– 1 cm vs. 39–71 × 2–5.1(–6.4) cm); stouter stipes (2–3 mm vs. 1.5–2 mm in diameter); entire primary bracts (vs. serrate); longer petals (10.8–18 mm vs. 8.8–10.7 mm long); presence of petal appendages (vs. absence); and longer filaments (7.8–11 mm vs. 6.2–7.7 mm long).

Additional specimens examined:— UNKNOWN ORIGIN. Flowered in cultivation at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens , November 1990, Berg s.n. ( SEL!) ; cultivated at The Fairchild Tropical Garden, unaccessioned, between pool and walk by museum near main gate, Native to W. Indies , 14 December 1978, Fantz 3630 ( FTG!) ; flowered in cultivation at the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens , 12 July 1993, Luther et al. s.n. ( SEL!) ; flowered in cultivation in Miami , 17 July 2001, Prince s.n. (SEL) ; cultivated at The Fairchild Tropical Garden , 7 March 1964, Read 969 (FTG) ; cultivated at the New York Botanical Garden. Range # 1, 13 January 1945, Ahles 68750 (NY). CUBA. Camaguey: vicinity of La Gloria, 8 February 1909, Shafer 334 ( NY!) ; Hills S.E. end, Cayo Guajaba , 7–8 November 1909, Shafer 2834 (NY!, US) ; basal valley of Río Miel, Oriente, 17 March 1910, Shafer 4335 ( NY!). Cienfuegos: Guajimico , 23 March 1910, Britton et al. 5823 ( NY!) ; Cienaguita , 3 July 1895, Combs 466 ( NY!) ; Soledad, 9 February 1927, Jack 4681 ( NY!). Granma: Sierra Maestra, in hills at Río Bayamo near Corojo, Oriente, 6 May 1916, Ekman 7300 (NY [photo], S!). Guantanamo: Imias, Los Calderos, 14 August 1995, Herbario del Jardin Botánico Nacional de Cuba et al. 27430 ( HAJB!) ; Yamuri through Mata to Baracoa , Oriente , 15 December 1910, Shafer 7955 ( NY!). Havana: Cojimar, 5 February 1916, Britton et al. 13982 ( NY!) ; 11 October 1904, Van Herman 191 ( NY!). Holguin: Alto Cedro to Paso Estancia, Oriente , 28 April 1909, Shafer 1629 ( NY!) ; Moa Bay, East of Río Moa, Oriente , 2–3 January 1911, Shafer 8319 ( NY!) ; Alto Cedro, March 1903, Underwood et al. 1631 ( NY!). Isle of Pines: Cerro San Juan del Mar, Columbia, 20 February 1916, Britton et al. 14662 ( NY!). Matanzas: Canimar River , 19 March 1903, Britton et al. 490 ( NY!). Pinar del Rio: San Diego De Los Baños , 31 August to 3 September 1910, Britton et al. 6666 ( NY!) ; Baños San Vicente , 12–16 September 1910, Britton et al. 7473 ( NY!) ; Corrientes Bay , 10–12 March 1911, Britton et al. 9922 ( NY!) ; Sierra Mendoza , 25 December 1911, Shafer 11158 ( NY!) ; vicinity of Los Palacios , 3–4 January 1912, Shafer 11673 ( NY!) ; vicinity of Sumidero , 2–4 August 1912, Shafer 13490 ( NY!) ; along Camino Aguacate from Bahia Honda to Baños Aguacate , 11–12 December 1910, Wilson 9208 ( NY!). Villa Clara: Trinidad Mountains, Santa Clara. Habanilla Falls , 1 March 1910, Britton et al. 4861 ( NY!) ; Santa Clara, 28 August 1922, Leon 11386 (NY). Farallón de la Perla , Oriente , 14 February 1911, Shafer 8775 ( NY!). JAMAICA. Hanover Parish: Rockingham , 305 m, 4 September 1970, Adams 13201 ( UCWI!). Portland Parish: Blue Mountains . Road between Hardwar Gap and Section, 0.5 miles south of Section , 1096 m, 18º5’17.7”N, 76º42’28.6”W, 20 June 2012, Aguirre-Santoro et al. 1802 (IJ!, NY!) ; near Port Antonio , 6 July 1897, Fredholm 3125 ( US!) ; Shotover Hill, 3 miles W.S. W. of Port Antonio , 305 m, 25 May 1952, Proctor 6708 ( IJ!) ; 1/ 2 mile west of SIlver Hill Gap , 1070 m, 22 June 1952, Proctor 6850 ( IJ!) ; ridge southwest of Haycock Mountain , above Balcarres P. O., 650–840 m, 11 June 1953, Proctor 8061 ( IJ!) ; half to one mile W of Section along the road to Newcastle, 970 m, Till 9165 ( WU!). St. Ann Parish: 1 mile west of Discovery Bay , 30 m, 17 April 1960, Adams 6871 (UCWI) ; Moneague , 310–320 m, 17 September 1965, Adams 12717 (UCWI) ; Mt. Diablo , 425 m, 25 October 1970, Lack s.n. ( UCWI!) ; vicinity of Mosely Hall cave, near Blackstonedge , 610 m, 15 July 1952, Proctor 6936 ( IJ!) ; 24 August 1952, Proctor 7208 ( US!) ; along Queen’s Highway, 2 miles east of Rio Bueno , 8 m, 23 August 1955, Proctor 10559 ( IJ!) ; Tobolski district, 3 miles southwest of Browns Town , 490 m, 28 March 1956, Proctor 11909 ( IJ!) ; Unity Valley district, along road between Moneague & Mt. Diablo, 460 m, 2 July 1965, Proctor 26484 ( IJ!). St. Catherine Parish: 1/ 2 mile southeast of Guys Hill , 490 m, 3 May 1952, Proctor 6659 (IJ!, US!). St. James Parish: Orange River valley , 1/ 2 mile southeast of Sign , 75 m, 15 September 1957, Proctor 16630 ( IJ!). St. Thomas Parish: Port Morant , 20 December 1890, Hitchcock s.n. ( US!) ; along trail between Whitehall and Big Hill , 305–915 m, 12 February 1953, Proctor 7664 ( IJ!) ; Big Level district, southeast end of the John Crow Mountains, 460–610 m, 16 March 1956, Proctor 11791 ( IJ!). Trelawny Parish: Windsor estate, 120 m, 23 August 1956, Proctor 15666 ( IJ!) ; Arawak Cave 2 miles W of Rio Bueno, about 10 m above sea level, 10 m, 20 August 1992, Till 9009 ( SEL!). Westmoreland Parish: near Revival , 75 m, 20 December 1960, Adams 8555 ( UCWI!) ; Kentucky Hill, Bluefields Mts , 610–760 m, 3 July 1908, Harris 10205 ( UCWI!) .

Figures

FIGURE 2. Geographic distribution of the Caribbean-endemic species of Wittmackia. A. Species occurring in Jamaica and Cuba, and species endemic to the western Caribbean. Star: W. caymanensis, triangle: W. mesoamericana, circle: W. penduliflora. B. Species endemic to Puerto Rico. Star: W. portoricensis, circle: W. antillana. C. Species endemic to Jamaica. Circle: W. laesslei, triangle: W. negrilensis, star: W. polycephala.D. Species endemic to Jamaica. Circle: W. rohan-estyi, triangle: W. spinulosa, star: W. urbaniana. E. Species endemic to Jamaica. Circle: W. fawcettii, triangle: W. jamaicana, star: W. inermis. F. Species endemic to Jamaica. Circle: W. abbreviata, star: W. distans, square: W. eriostachya.

FIGURE 14. Wittmackia penduliflora. A. General habit of the plant. B. Inflorescence. C. Inflorescence branch showing the stipe and the spike. D. Flower. E. Sepals. F.Petal and antepetalous stamen. G. Ovary in cross section. H. Seed. I. Petal appendages. J. Apical portion of the stamen. K. Apical portion of the style and stigma. (A–K: Aguirre-Santoro 1802. Photos of living specimens: J. Aguirre-Santoro).