Araeococcus pectinatus L.B.Sm.

  • Family

    Bromeliaceae (Magnoliophyta)

  • Scientific Name

    Araeococcus pectinatus L.B.Sm.

  • Primary Citation

    Contr. Gray Herb. 95: 41, t. 11. 1931

  • Description

    Author : Juan Francisco Morales, Xavier Cornejo & Reinaldo Aguilar.

    Description: Epiphytic herbs to 1 m tall, forming cylindric rosettes, growing in clumps, stoloniferous. Blades strap-like, the inner ones 30-85 x 1-3 cm, the outer ones much reduced, shorter than the sheaths, reflexed, the margins spinose-serrate, the apex acute. Scapes slender, 28-65 cm long, suberect to arched; scape bracts narrow, the lower longer than internodes. Inflorescences simple or compound and bearing 2-6 loose spikes, 15-22 cm long, brilliant red; spikes elongate, many-flowered, the axes flexuose, sulcate; floral bracts ovate, 0.5-1.2 cm long, reddish-green to red, reflexed, the margins strongly pectinate, the base auriculate, the apex acute or mucronulate. Flowers polystichously and loosely arranged, usually sessile; sepals greenish, free or connate 1-2 mm; petals greenish; stamens included. Fruits berries, ca. 5 mm diam., black at maturity.

    Common names: None recorded.

    Distribution: Western Costa Rica to western Colombia from sea level to 900 m (Smith & Downs, 1979; Morales, 2003).

    Ecology: In wet forests.

    Phenology: This species has been observed with flowers from Jan to May and with fruits throughout the year.

    Pollination: No observations recorded.

    Dispersal: No observations recorded, but because of the soft berries this species is most likely dispersed by birds.

    Taxonomic notes: Araeococcus pectinatus is recognized by its stoloniferous habit; cylindric rosettes; arched subpendulous inflorescences; loose spikes bearing pectinate bracts; and black berries.

    Conservation: Not recorded.

    Uses: This beautiful species is sometimes cultivated as an ornamental.

    Etymology: The epithet refers to the pectinate floral bracts.

  • Floras and Monographs

    Araeococcus pectinatus L.B.Sm.: [Article] Smith, Lyman B. & Downs, Robert J. 1979. Bromelioideae (Bromeliaceae). Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 14 (3): 1493-2142.