June 2009 BSSF Officers 2009 JUNE 2, 2009, 7:30 PM SPEAKER: Dr. Terrie Bert “DEFG. Diving Even President Robert Meyer Further Into Unusual Bromeliad Genera” VP: Pepe Donayre RAFFLE TABLE: Alan and Rhonda Herndon Treasurer: Alan Herndon FOOD TABLE: Joan Manley, Shirley Berckmans, Joy Secretary: Barbara Partagas Parrish, Sky Palmer, and Lavinia Acton ______DIRECTORS Speaker for the Month: Past Pres.: Sandy Roth Dr. Bert has chaired symposia on Directors: ecology and aquaculture, and Lori Weyrick ‘09 numerous presentations on Peter Kouchalakos ‘09 fisheries, evolutionary biology, Judy Pagliarulo ‘09-‘10 population genetics, and Ofelia Sorzano ‘09-‘10 biodiversity. She has reviewed for 10 research agencies and 19 professional journals in the areas Editor of marine ecology and biology. Robert C Meyer Bert has held the editor’s title for Moyna Prince four publications, and has helped to acquire over $1 million in research grants And, in her spare time, she works Door Prize: Alan Herndon extensively with bromeliads. Bachelor’s Math and Education: Nat DeLeon Biology Southeast Missouri State University; Master’s Hospitality: Elaine Mills Marine Science Univ. South Florida, Ph.D. Yale Library: Ofelia Sorzano University. She continually lectures and was able to come Membership: Moyna Prince to our neighborhood just a few weeks ago to judge our Member Sales: Antonio annual show. Arbelaez Raffle: Peter & Clara Inside: Kouchalakos In Case You Missed It ...... p. 2 Refreshments: Patty Gonzalez Faces No Longer in the Crowd ...... p. 2-4 Presidents Message ...... p. 4-5 What Who What’s In Bloom ...... p. 5-6 Why Be a BSI Judge ...... p. 6 Sales Antonio Arbelaez New Web Page ...... p. 7 Table BromeliAdvisory June 2009 Page 2

In Case You Missed In the end, the deceptively small lot of one by Robert Meyer builder’s acre appears to contain countless that ordinary lots many times larger could not Dr Jeffrey Block virtually escorted the BSSF show, or display. The hard, and sometimes spined, around his lovely island-themed garden. plants on this lot softly flow. Broken into numerous plots, the power point stroll enlightened or energized many of us. In the end, Dr. Block invited the society to have a walk through the yard which would enable others The entrance to the home included the bizarre to perceive what photographs fail to provide. green colors of the Jade Vine attached to a More information to come! large oak tree, which followed a narrow drive shouldered on each side by palms and orchids. The wet wall “I want two things from plants,” Block stated – “. . . color and long lasting flower.” Orchids Investigation into the start of the wet wall led to provide the former, bromeliads provide both. an interesting discovery. To have the wall start off with life, a mixture of cow manure and old Further down and upon taking a sharp left, one buttermilk (Block added Superthrive and other encounters the green houses of Florida – shade enhancements) were painted on the wall. After houses. One shade house is dedicated to which growth arose. And bigger items – ferns bromeliads. Both are well computer- among others – grow from the maintenanced with heat and other directives manure/buttermilk mix. given to the reverse-osmosis water treatment center, specifically directed to the plants – It turns out that amateur doctors like the mix for which show their appreciation with health and other purposes: “Stumpwater, buttermilk, dew size. of the first day in May, and a cow manure facial were used to remove freckles.” Folk Medicine Passing by the shade houses, one encounters in Southern Appalachia by Anthony P. an outdoor area between the shade houses and Cavender the pool or “back of the house” area – where the bright sun is absorbed by vertically And, Cavender further adds to this information: enhanced Vanda and their abundant colors. “. . . one had to take care not to leave it on too long because it would turn the skin green.” Any Passing through the hot area, there were volunteers? numerous – maybe as many as 50 – hanging bromeliads in a jungle-like atmosphere protected under a high ceilinged screen enclosure – humidity added by a pond and a “wet wall” laced with ferns and other plants. Faces No Longer in the Crowd: Occasionally gargantuan of Robert W. Read Alcantareas. by Alan Herndon After going through this area, one passes Robert Read was only a member of BSSF for a outside to the swimming pool and back yard short time during the 1960's, but he became a where the greatest treasures may lie. “Certain consequential force in bromeliad after bromeliads look better from above, and others he left the Miami area. Robert came to Miami to from below.” Block presents this discipline by take the position of Botanist at Fairchild Tropical showing Neoregelias on the ground so the Garden. Much of his work at the garden was on observer’s attention focuses upon the roseate palms (befitting the major role palms play in – easily permitting observation of the shape Fairchild collections), but he was not restricted to and color. Above on tree branches may be palm studies. During this period, spurred by a Vriesea or other plants where the underside of plant brought into cultivation by Nat DeLeon, he the leaf is very attractive. published a comprehensive review of the epiphytic Cochliostema of the BromeliAdvisory June 2009 Page 3

Commelinaceae, including the description of “Much of Robert Read’s work on a new species. He also published an article bromeliads during the Smithsonian period arguing for the transfer of the widely was carried out in collaboration with cultivated marmorata to Lyman B. Smith” marmorata (Bromeliad Society Bulletin 15(2): 23-26. This opinion has been upheld to the Gaussia and numerous shorter papers describing present day. new species or providing new information on old species.. He also published (with M. L. Solt) an He left his position at Fairchild to enroll in exhaustive bibliography of the living cycads and the graduate program at the University of made a brief foray into orchid taxonomy with a the West Indies campus in Mona, Jamaica. paper on the genus Nageliella (American Orchid Society Bulletin 55(3): 252-254. 1986.) He left his position at Fairchild to enroll in the graduate program at the University of the Much of Robert Read’s work on bromeliads West Indies campus in Mona, Jamaica. His during the Smithsonian period was carried out in PhD dissertation was based on an intensive collaboration with Lyman B. Smith. Most of the study of the genus Pitcairnia in Jamaica. The new species these two jointly published appeared timing of his sojourn in Jamaica was in Lyman B. Smith’s long-running series Notes on fortuitous. A new Flora of Jamaica was in in Phytologia. Among the more preparation, and Robert was able to contribute ornamental plants jointly published were to the treatments of several bromeliad genera. Orthophytum burle-marxii (Journal of the Also during this period, he gathered material Bromeliad Society 29: 164-165. 1979) and that was later published for the enjoyment of eloiseae (Journal of the Bromeliad general bromeliad enthusiasts: Crabs in Society 33(6): 243-245, 263. 1983). This last bromeliads on the high mountains of Jamaica species was named for BSSF member Eloise Bromeliad Society Bulletin 19(4): 78-79. Beach. In his later years at the Smithsonian, he 1969. and Some Jamaican bromeliads worthy also collaborated with Thomas A. Zanoni (a of cultivation. Bromeliad Society Bulletin botanist from the Dominican Republic) in 20(2): 42. 1970. publishing a series of papers based on studies on the bromeliads and palms of Hispanolia Following his graduate study, he moved to the Smithsonian Institution, where he became a While still curator in the United States National at the Herbarium, part of the National Museum of Smithsoni Natural History. His position at the an, Robert Herbarium required maintenance of the dried independe plant collections from the West Indies. This ntly included trying to improve the identifications proposed of all West Indian collections through his own the genus studies and/or recruiting outside specialists to Lymania, work on the collections. Most curators, combining however, find time to work in areas outside of three their primary responsibility. Robert Read, species following his concentration on Jamaican Read’s beloved Neoreglia burle originally bromeliads, began to work closely with marxii described Lyman B. Smith on general questions in Photo by Moyna Prince as displayed on FCBS website in bromeliad taxonomy. He also maintained a Aechmea, strong interest in palms through the years, Araeococcus and Ronnbergia with a newly publishing a comprehensive study of the described species Lymania smithii. This was genus Thrinax in 1975, a detailed taxonomic published as part of a tribute to Lyman Smith on study of the genus his 80th birthday in 1984 (Journal of the Bromeliad Society volume 34, number 5.) BromeliAdvisory June 2009 Page 4

After retirement from the Smithsonian, collected in the gardens of Roberto Burle Marx since Robert moved to the Naples area of 1975. The discovery of subsp. meeanum in the Florida. He was involved in the early collections of Elton Leme reawakened his interest in planning for the Naples Botanical Garden the species and led to the publication. among other projects, but also continued to work on bromeliads. He served as a consultant for Ulrich and Ursula Baensch, During his later years, he was concentrating on the helping identify the bromeliad species for genus Quesnelia, particularly the Quesnelia their book Blooming Bromeliads. This quesneliana-testudo complex. A plant closely work has attained the status of a standard related to that he was reference to bromeliad species in considering naming for his wife is present in several cultivation, ensuring Robert’s continued local collections. Other plants of note he introduced influence in the bromeliad world. Another to our collections include Lymania alvimii and the result of this collaboration was the miniature, still unidentified, Neoregelia ‘Bob Read’. recognition and publication of a new species of Aechmea in the Gravisia Robert Read gave occasional programs to our society complex, Aechmea callichroma (first throughout the years. In February 1971, BSSF paid published in The Aechmea/Gravisia his travel expenses from Washington, DC to give a complex (Bromeliaceae). Selbyana 12: 54- program. His last program to our society was given 67. 1991. later announced in the Journal in Mar 2001. He lives on in the memory of several of the Bromeliad Society 44(1): 17-19. long-time BSSF members 1994). A third result was the recognition and publication of the new genus Ursulaea with two species U. mcvaughii T-Shirts Still For Sale and U. tuitensis (Journal of the Bromeliad Sandy Roth has determined to take on another Society 44(5): 205-211. 1994.) Both of task – make t-shirts. Artwork is approved and the last two publications were made she has contacted the proper printers to jointly with Ulrich Baensch. manufacture t-shirts for the masses. Announcements will be delivered at the A short time later, Robert published meeting. Neoregeli a burle- marxii PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE and Neo. by Robert Meyer burle- marxii Occasionally the silver lining of a cloud is merely subsp. crisis delivering opportunity. The issue of the meeanum membership obtaining people to enlist in the judging (Journal school may very well be an example of opportunity of the arising from crisis. Bromeliad Society Once the bulwark of the judging community for 46(6): bromeliana in the state of Florida, the BSSF was 261-264. revered and admired. There were more than 10 1996.) He judges from the community, and many held high rank had been among the file. Now that is not the case. cultivating Read’s also beloved the plants Age, relocation and inevitable death have made our Neoreglia burle-marxii ssp of Neo. numbers dwindle to – believe it or not – one judge. meeana burle It is when such an otherwise unrecognized event Photo by Derek Butcher as marxii occurs that youth in the society’s community must displayed on FCBS website. from rise to an opportunity. seeds BromeliAdvisory June 2009 Page 5

And, this is the time for reaction reasons plants (particularly in Orthophytum) are other than necessity. reappearing after a month or more absence from the list. In these species, the new blooms are on The school is not always open. Quite pups that have reached maturity since the original simply that means more than the simplicity mother plant bloomed. Such behavior is common of the sentence can mean. The required in Aechmea subgenus Ortgiesia, Aechmea numbers for the school make it arrive only nudicaulis, the Aechmea racinae-warasii complex, every three or five years – it is not an annual Aechmea tillandsioides, Billbergia subgenus event. Billbergia, Cryptanthus and Quesnelia subgenus Billbergiopsis in addition to Orthophytum. And, when enrolled in the rarely offered school, the cluster of classmates will work The large number of Neoregelia blooming for the together for a period of time. And, that is first time is also noteworthy. where this opportunity may best entice enlistment. This is an event in which bonds It appears to me that Vriesea (including the and friendships will greaten over something segregates Alcantarea and Werauhia) are blooming which you have already determined is of in greater profusion this year than normal. Please importance to you. check your own collections, and let us know if you have unusual activity among your plants. And, while engaged in this activity, the benefits will be greater knowledge of the Aechmea subgenus Ortgiesia (apocalyptica, plants, meeting those with such similar cylindrata, organensis, pimenti-velosii) increased knowledge, and traveling about Aechmea (Alvarez, angustifolia, brueggeri, the state of Florida to see how others in this carvalhoi, chantinii, cucullata, disjuncta state of bromeliad prominence. (formerly Hohenbergia disjuncta), fuerstenbergii, Little Harv, mariae- If this is not persuasive, read Alan reginae, mollis, mulfordii (red leaf form), Herndon’s pitch, and hopefully one of us nudicaulis, penduliflora, pubescens, can trigger interest from the membership. seidelii, servitensis, tillandsioides, victoriana, warasii intermedia) Ananas nanus Name tags are ready for the Billbergia viridiflora following new members: Canistropsis burchellii Canistrum triangulare Marilyn Gresh Cryptanthus (acaulis, burle-marxii, delicatus, Andy Sigl ruthiae) Dennis Murasaki Fosterella petiolata, schidiosperma Joan Murasaki Guzmania (lingulata, minor ‘Orange Crush’, Noah) Hohenbergia (distans, pennae, undulatifolia, stellata (pink)) JOIN the BSSF: Lymania alvimii, spiculata Friends or Family contact Moyna Neoregelia (amandae, ampullacea, Annick, Prince at 305-251-5289 Aztec, bahiana, binotii, Bob Work, Bossa Nova, burlemarxii, burlemarxii meeanum, camorimiana, carolinae What’s in Bloom - May 2009 (several clones), carcharodon ‘Silver’, by Alan Herndon Charm, Catherine Wilson, compacta, concentrica, correia-araujoi, Devine Compare this list with the list for April 2009 Brown, Devroe, eltoniana, Emerald City, and you will see that the number of Fosperior Perfection, Franca, Gespacho, blooming plants has increased significantly. johannis, laevis, laevis maculata, leprosa, Plants recorded blooming for the first time macrosepala, maculata, macwilliamsii, this month number 41. Plants recorded for magdalena, marmorata, Morado, nivea, the first time are in bold letters. For the Nonis, olens (fluminensis of trade), most part, these plants are blooming for the oligantha, roethii, sanguinea, sarmentosa, first time this year, but some rapidly cycling Sheba, Tossed Salad, Tricolor Perfecta, BromeliAdvisory June 2009 Page 6

Ultima) Accredited Judge. Nidularium (innocentii, jonesianum, krisgreeniae, longiflorum (green), Judging is a serious commitment. You will be longiflorum expected to pay your own expenses for the classes (discolor), meeanum, rutilans) ($20 per class and any travel expenses; classes are Orthophytum (alvimii, burle-marxii, expected to be offered in Fort Lauderdale and Fort conquistense, duartei, grossiorum, harleyi, Myers) as well as manage your schedule so you can lanuginosum, attend the classes when offered. If you become lemei, leprosum, lymaniana, active as a Student Judge after the first year, you magalhaesii, navioides, saxicola, vagans) will be expected to pay your own expenses for Pitcairnia (beachiae, hitchcockiana, travel to shows. One of the classes will be held in integrifolia, xanthocalyx) conjunction with the World Conference in 2010. Portea (petropolitana extensa) Fortunately, this World Conference will be held in Pseudananas sagenarius New Orleans. Quesnelia (quesneliana) (aeranthos, baileyi proliferata) Benefits of going through the series of courses and Vriesea (brusquensis, carinata, fosteriana, study to become a judge are plentiful, even if not incurvata, inflata (red) inflata profitable. First, you cannot fail to learn more than (yellow), Mariae, muelleri, ospinae, you ever dreamed about bromeliads during three pinottii, scalaris, schwackeana, years of study. You will come out able to grow Splendide) plants to a standard you never imagined, if only Werauhia ringens because you have learned to look at your plants with a critical eye. You will also be exposed to a WHY BE A BSI JUDGE much wider range of bromeliads than you could by Alan Herndon ever see in the collections of BSSF members, giving you an opportunity to enrich your own At our just completed show, BSSF was collection. Finally, you will have the opportunity fortunate to have the services of 3 out-of- to work with, and learn from, judges from other state judges. These 3 were critical to parts of the nation and world. If you are interested reaching the magic number of 12 judges. in understanding bromeliads deeply, belonging to We have enough entries on a yearly basis this fellowship of judges, all dedicated to learning that we need 12 judges to work through all ever more about bromeliads, is priceless. the plants in a reasonable number of hours. For more details, and to sign up, contact Vicky Chirnside [by phone at (951) 493-5825 or e-mail at This year, we did not, as in the past 2 years, [email protected]] or Betty Ann Prevatt [by share a show date with the Sarasota phone (239) 334-0242 or e-mail at Bromeliad Society, but the number of judges [email protected]]. Please remember that the available was still barely sufficient to meet deadline is June 1. Sign up now. our needs. The problem was that three societies held shows in April, and, as dedicated as our BSI judges are, most could not accommodate more than two shows Special Thanks: during the month. Thanks to Carol Barrus for a generous donation to BSSF. One way to lessen the strain on existing judges is to increase the number of judges. An opportunity to do this is now available. If sixteen (16) students sign up by 1 Jun, a new series of Judge’s Schools is scheduled WANT A NAME TAG? to start on 26 Sep 2009. The School Other new members who want tags should consists of two full-day courses offered call Moyna (305-251-5289) or email during each of three years. After completing [email protected]. the first two courses, you are eligible to become a Student Judge and may participate in judging BSI approved shows. After successful completion of the full six-course series, you are eligible to become an BromeliAdvisory June 2009 Page 7

THERE IS A WEB PAGE FOR THE SOCIETY WHICH YOU MUST VISIT http://www.bssf-miami.org/ by Robert Meyer

Aechmea pimenti-velosoi Billbergia zebrina Established in 1959 var. glabra Reit

The efforts of Bill Benaim have quickly and The box above is the web page’s hot button seemingly without effort to have prepared a index. Most are self explanatory. And, rough preliminary to our newly created Web members are urged to explore the resources Page. Not a task for the weary, the page contained therein as even in the nascent stage, already includes astonishing photographs, the page’s wealth of information is significant many of the BromeliAdvisory issues for the and impressive. past few years, a special component for Nat DeLeon, and more. I also urge that people to work with Bill in delivering items which they may have of This will become the resevoir of future interest. Ultimately, this presently large information, laden with the Schmale resource will expand to become a vitual photographs, full of Herndon theses, and a cornucopia of bromeliana. quick-to-reach resource for anyone wondering who will be speaking next, who will Moreover, the recent growth of a few bebringing plants to the auction table and exponentially growing concepts. Most close more. In short, this provisional conquest will to home being the Nat DeLeon's and Alan be more than a step into the 21st century. I t Herndon's inception of the Clone Preservation will be the pivot of resources for those within Project -- an item which may have a tab on and outside of our BSSF community -- where the web page in the not-too-distant future. all can learn about and understand our purposes and goals. With great enthusiasm, I invite any member or party who receives this publication to venture Home to the new web page. Benaim and his efforts What are Bromeliads What is a are already an invaluable aid to the society and Cryptanthus a continued delivery of the same to the society Meetings & Events will be heartfelt and warmly appreciated. Join Now! Contact Us Sitting idly with head fixated on the ceilig Show & Sale tiles, I can easily conjure innumerable uses for Annual Auction this page. But, restraint will be exercised. Nat DeLeon Newsbulletins And, as Humphrey Bogart said in Bromeliad Links Casablanca's closing scene, "This is going to Planning your be the beginning of a beautiful friendship." Landscaping Map to Fairchild