Pitcairnia werffii (Luther) Gouda[as Pitcairnia werffii (H. Luther) ?]

Diagnose: —A Pitcairnia guzmanioides L.B.Sm. Pepinia fimbriatobracteata (Rauh) G.S.Varad. & Gilmartin et Pepinia neglecta H.Luther quibus similes foliis omnino integris et floribus pendulis post anthesin differt.

Observations: —Pepinia werffii is a member of a complex of pepinias with spreading or creeping inflorescences. These are nearly all with a western Amazonian distribution. So far as known, all have a long arcuate corolla suggesting pollination by low-foraging hermit (curved beak) hummingbirds. This new species seems most similar to Pitcairnia guzmanioides, Pepinia fimbriatobracteata and Pepinia neglecta on account of its dense, cylindrical inflorescence. With the first pair of species it also shares the characteristic of soon shattering or disintegrating and falling floral bracts. It can be immediately distinguished from all three by entire foliage and flowers that fold downward toward the rachis after flowering. This is a feature presented by a number of Pitcairnia s.l. species; for example Pitcairnia bakeri (Andre) Andre ex Mez; an unrelated scandent hemiepiphytic climber. Perhaps this flexing of the pedicel removes the old flowers from competing and interfering with the fresh ones.

Edited from (16-02-2023): Luther 2007. (protologue) Miscellaneous new taxa of Bromeliaceae (XVIII) .