SEMBSSEMBS SOUTHEASTSOUTHEAST MICHIGANMICHIGAN BROMELIADBROMELIAD SOCIETYSOCIETY AFFILIATEAFFILIATE OFOF BROMELIADBROMELIAD SOCIETYSOCIETY INTERNATIONALINTERNATIONAL MAYMAY // JUNEJUNE 20132013 Pitcairnia flammea Lindley 1827, 7 varieties, terrestrial and, near streams, saxicolous in eastern Brazil. We in the North don't see much of the Pitcairnia family. Although there are a number of species small enough to fit into our bromeliad collections, they are not very interesting when they are not in bloom. But because the family is so distinctive in several respects, it is well worth exploring. I have presented a brief survey which will, I hope, pique your interest. The May meeting is at Paul Wingert's shadehouse. There is much to see – in addition to recent acquisitions, the new batches of his hybrid seedlings are coloring up. The visit to the shadehouse is an enjoyable initiation of what we hope will turn out to be summer. Next Meeting: MAY 18, 2013 Our next meeting will be Saturday, June 16, 2:00 p.m.at Paul Wingert's shadehouse (up the hill behind the house), 27276 Edgemoor, Farmington Hills. Home- (248)-473-1315; Cell (248)-798-4139 + Paul has loads of bromeliads for sale in a wide range of genera, species , hybrids – neoregelias, guzmanias, vrieseas and tillandsias. An exciting opportunity to spice up the new growing season! Pitcairnia by Penrith Goff Pitcairnia , L'Héritier 1788. This genus, named for a British physician, Dr. William Pitcairn, comprisies over 300 species, is second in size only to tillandsia. Pitcairnias are widely distributed in Central and South America, prefer moist areas and are mostly terrestrial. Some grow on rock (saxicolous) or as epiphytes. Most of them, with their long narrow leaves, look like a kind of grass, reminding us that bromeliads are one of the 16 families in the Poales, the order of blooming plants to which grasses, grains, and cattails belong. When they bloom however, it becomes dramatically clear that they are not grass. The flowers are usually shades of red, yellow, or white, matching or contrasting with the bracts from which they emerge. P. albo-lutea P. atrorubens P. chiapensis There are also shades of violet: P. carnososepala P. andreetae P. rubronigrifolia Secund inflorescence: the flowers often grow on one side of the stem (rachis). P. stenophylla (left), P. corallina (right) P. heydlauffii: Herbarium Page and Habitat Photo: A Typical Pitcairnia A typical pitcairnia: long grassy, often toothed leaves, spiny growth (A) at the base of the plant is actually leaves modified as spines (B) With some pitcairnias first shoot growth is stiff and spiny, later leaves soft and grassy. P. heydlauffii in habitat, rocky terrain (photo: Wikepedia) Two beauties, one 40” tall the other only 4”, each with its own dramatic flair: P. tabuliformis (photo by Michael Andreas) \ P. heterophylla , so named because it bears two kinds of leaves, has adapted to the dry season by shedding its large green leaves . This native of west Africa is the only bromeliad ever found endemic outside ot the neotropics. SEMBS THE SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN BROMELIAD SOCIETY AFFILIATE OF THE BROMELIAD SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL JUNE 2013, SUPPLEMENT Cryptanthus 'Richard Lum', Hybridizer: Lisa Vinzant Colored pencil, water color – P. Gof – 2013 Celebrating the Advent of Summer Picnic at Lynne and Pat Echlin's ! 1420 W. Avon Circle, Rochester Hills, MI 48309 Saturday, June 29 at 2p.m. Please email Lynne : [email protected] or telephone: 248-651-9521 to let her know how many you are and what you'll bring along to the party. Guests very welcome! While the picture implies that Lynne has other plants and bromeliads, her specialty is really cryptanthus. She has a sizable collection of beautifully grown crypts and a large store of information about them and how to make them flourish. It is always a pleasure and an inspiration to view Lynne's collection. CRYPTANTHUS The genus Cryptanthus was established by Otto and Dietrich in 1836. The genus belongs to the Bromelioideae and comprises some 60 species, from which several hundred hybrids have been developed. Cryptanthus are prized for their foliage rather than their small, usually white, flowers, which are typically nestled, "hidden," in the center, hence the name: cryptos+anthos (hidden flower). HABITAT: Cryptanthus are terrestrials, indigenous to the dry forests of eastern Brazil. Most grow in shady moist areas, some (saxicolous) grow in rocky terrain, a few grow in full sun. They are dependent on their root system for water supply, and do not tolerate standing water in their centers and leaf axils. A very few ( e.g. C. warasii, C. glaziouii, C. microglaziouii) are succulent and can store water in their leaves. CULTURE: Cryptanthus produce their best color in strong light; however prolonged exposure to the sun should be avoided as a general rule. If they begin to redden unnaturally or to bleach, light should be reduced. They tolerate low temperatures but their preferred range is 60° F to 80° F. Fertilize during the months of active growth. Pups are produced prolifically from buds at the leaf axils. Pups are often produced even before the plant flowers. Some species produce a mound and pups fall off the top, taking root where they fall. Because Cryptanthus are moisture-loving and not vulnerable to fungal problems, they are excellent plants for terrariums. CULTURAL PROBLEMS: Rooting the pups is often difficult. They can survive for months without rooting but eventually they must root in order to grow. If they do not root under humid conditions, bottom heat may help. CHARACTERISTICS: FORM: rosette, usually flat and close to the ground but in some species (C.scaposus, C. pseudoscaposus) a short stem is formed which bears flowers at the top. SIZE: from a few inches (C. microglaziouii) to over 3' in diameter. LEAVES: many narrow leaves tapering to a sharp point. A few species have spoon-shaped leaves which have the appearance of being carried on a petiole (leaf stem). Several species have very narrow, even grassy, leaves (C. maritimus). Leaf edges are usually undulated and armed with fine teeth. Leaf undersides covered with scales (trichomes). Leaf Color: green, pink, red, maroon, chestnut, near black. Leaf markings: longitudinal stripes, transverse banding. Leaves of some species are succulent. INFLORESCENCE: nestled low in the center of the plant. In a few species (C. scaposus, pseudo- scaposus) the inflorescence rises some 6" above the rosette. FLOWERS: three sharply pointed narrow petals, white. Neither showy nor fragrant. FRUITS: seeds are borne in berries. PUPS: grow from the leaf axils and break away readily from the mother plant. A few species bear pups on stolons (runners). C. sinuosus 'Cascade' produces numerous 24-30" stolons, covered with bracts (modified leaves). NOMENCLATURE: aside from tribute to persons, the specific names given to cryptanthus most often describe qualities of the leaves : bivittatus -having two stripes ; brevifolius - short leaved; coriaceus -leather-like; crassifolius - thick leaved; lacerdae - tattered; latifolius -wide leaved; marginatus -having margins; zonatus -having zones, i.e. bands; teretefolius – terete leaves, pseudopetiolatus – looking like the leaf has a stem, Leaf color : argyrophyllous – silver-leafed, aurantiacus -orange, carnosus -pink (i.e. meat-colored), fuscus- dark, dusky, viridis -green, viridovinosus – green and wine-colored Growth habit : acaulis -stemless, bromelioides -like a bromelia, scaposus -having a scape, sinuosus -sinuous, winding Location : maritimus -at the sea coast, bahiana – Bahia, Brazil You've read this far? Here's your reward: Cryptanthus vexatus. As far as I know vexatus is Latin for annoyed, troubled, vexed. The FCBS photo index shows a plant which is all of that:.