JOSÉ MANUEL MANZANARES Speaks on: The Genus Mezobromelia - actual status and new species The genus Mezobromelia, discovered by L.B. Smith in 1935, is not widely known to bromeliad lovers and horticulturists. It was named in honor of the German Bromeliad Scientist Carl Mez. Only nine species of Mezobromelia are described in science. These are as follows: Mezobromelia bicolor L.B. Smith Mezobromelia brownii H. Luther Mezobromelia capituligera (Grisebach) J.R. Grant Mezobromelia fulgens L.B. Smith Mezobromelia hospitalis (L.B. Smith) J.R. Grant Mezobromelia hutchisonii (L.B. Smith) W. Weber & L.B. Smith Mezobromelia Iyman-smithii Rauh & Barthlott Mezobromelia magdalenae (L.B. Smith) J.R. Grant Mezobromelia pleiosticha (Grisebach) J. Utley & H. Luther The distribution of these magnificent bromeliads ranges from Peru through Ecuador and Colombia. Ecuador is the richest in this genus and new varieties will soon be introduced to science. About José: Born in Spain, José Manzanares first became interested in Bromeliads when he was only 10 years old. He has degrees in agronomy and environmental sciences, soil sciences and nutrition and plant physiology. He went to Belgium for specialization in the culture, propagation and hybridization of tropical plants, particularly Bromeliads, and spent time in botanical gardens of José Manzanares with Mezobromelia fulgens. Photo Gent, Brussels, Amsterdam, Vienna and London. In by Jerry Raack. 1983, he decided to study Bromeliads in habitat in Ecuador. He now lives among them investigating, studying and writing his Bromeliaceae of Ecuador Monographs. During the 32 years he has been working on the Bromeliads of Ecuador, he has published numerous studies for various Foundations and given lectures on the subject and the importance of Bromeliads in the ecosystem at events in the US, Ecuador, Colombia, Spain, Belgium, New Zealand and Australia. He has contributed more than 2000 items to the National Herbarium of Ecuador and is a Research Associate at the Museum of Natural Sciences of Ecuador. He has published articles in the Journal of the Bromeliad Society and brought forward 40 new Guzmania, Tillandsia, Racinaea, Pitcarnia and Puya species. His first volume of Bromeliaceae of Ecuador Jewels of the Jungle Part I (Bromelioideae) was published in 2002 and Part II (Pitcarnioideae) in 2005. He is currently preparing Part III (Tillandsioideae) for the first time classified by their DNA following studies by Barfuss and Till. .