Orthophytum heleniceae Leme (2004b: 67)

Louzada, Rafael Batista & Wanderley, Maria Das Graças Lapa, 2010, Revision of Orthophytum (Bromeliaceae): the species with sessile inflorescences, Phytotaxa 13, pp. 1-26 : 11

Orthophytum heleniceae Leme (2004b: 67) , figs. 5A–I, 7E.

Type:— BRAZIL. Bahia: field collection in Andaraí, Cachoeira da Garapa , 1300 m, O. Ribeiro & H. Ribeiro s.n. (holotype HB!) .

Plants rupicolous, stoloniferous, stems short, ca 3 × 2 cm. Leaves patent or arching, sometimes falcate. Leaf sheaths greenish–white, broadly ovate, 1.5–1.7 × 2–3.4 cm, glabrous, margins serrulate, prickles 0.3–0.5 mm long. Leaf blades subcoriaceous, concave, red at anthesis, greenish–yellow at base, linear–triangular, 43.5–69 × 1.5 cm, attenuate, glabrous, sparsely lepidote, margins serrulate, prickles antrorse, ca 0.5 mm long, apices mucronate. Inflorescences sessile, compound, many–flowered. Primary bracts subcoriaceous, green, triangular to linear–triangular, 3.3–29 × 2–4.6 cm, glabrous, margins serrate, apices mucronate. Vestigial floral bract present. Floral bracts subcoriaceous, green, symmetrical, ecarinate, triangular, 1.6–2.8 × 1–2 cm, with glandular trichomes, margins serrate, apices mucronate. Sepals green, asymmetrical, carinate, narrowly triangular, ca 1.5 × 0.3 cm, with glandular trichomes, margins entire, acuminate. Petals white, linear-spatulate, ca 2 × 0.4 cm, with simple trichomes, obtuse. Petal appendages sacciform, lacerate, ca 6.5 mm from base. Callosities conspicous. Stamens with antepetalous filaments ca 2 mm long and adnate to the petals, the antesepalous ones free, ca 11 mm long. Anthers yellow, ca 3.5 mm long, apices not apiculate. Ovaries trigonous, styles 1.3 mm long. Epigenous tubes present, ca 2 mm long. Ovules ca 20 per placenta. Fruits and seeds not seen.

Distribution and habitat: — Orthophytum heleniceae is only known from Andaraí county, where it grows on humid rocks near streams and waterfalls.

IUCN conservation status: —CR B2ab (iii). Orthophytum heleniceae is only known from two collections. Based on these collections, it is estimated that the species occurs in an area of ca 10 km 2, where the habitat quality is declining.

Comments: — Orthophytum heleniceae is characterized by rosettes of leaves that are red at anthesis, with primary bracts and the bases of the leaves green, forming a coloured band around the inflorescence. The floral bracts and sepals are green and the leaf margins are serrated with short prickles.

Our study at the type locality enabled us to substantially extend our understanding of this taxon, previously know only from one collection. Additionally, we observed that the flowers are visited by hummingbirds.

Additional specimens examined: — BRASIL. Bahia: Andaraí, Cachoeira da Garapa , 18 January 2006 (fl), Wanderley et al. 2544 ( SP) .