Glomeropitcairnia
Encyclopedia
Glomeropitcarnia is a genus of the botanical
family Bromeliaceae
, subfamily Tillandsioideae
. The genus name is from the Latin “glomero” (to form into a ball) and the genus Pitcairnia.
This plant group had been classified as a genera within the Pitcairnioideae
subfamily, but modern cladistic and DNA
analysis has revealed them as a member of Tillandsioideae, most closely related to the Guzmania
and Mezobromelia
generas. The only two species of this plant described to date are G. penduliflora and G. erectiflora, both common to the Caribbean
. Among tank bromeliads they are noted as being able to store the most water, up to five gallons, providing a water source for other biota (with special reference to the environmentally sensitive El Tucuche Golden Tree Frog - Phyllodytes auratus
).
Botany
Botany, plant science, or plant biology is a branch of biology that involves the scientific study of plant life. Traditionally, botany also included the study of fungi, algae and viruses...
family Bromeliaceae
Bromeliaceae
Bromeliaceae is a family of monocot flowering plants of around 3,170 species native mainly to the tropical Americas, with a few species found in the American subtropics and one in tropical west Africa, Pitcairnia feliciana...
, subfamily Tillandsioideae
Tillandsioideae
Tillandsioideae is a subfamily of plants in the bromeliad family Bromeliaceae. This group contains the fewest genera but the greatest number of species . Most are epiphytic or lithophytic, growing in trees or on rocks where they absorb water and nutrients from the air. Spanish moss of the...
. The genus name is from the Latin “glomero” (to form into a ball) and the genus Pitcairnia.
This plant group had been classified as a genera within the Pitcairnioideae
Pitcairnioideae
Pitcairnioideae is the terrestrial subfamily of the bromeliads with over 1000 species in 16 genera. Unlike the many epiphytes and lithophytes which comprise the rest of the family, with a few exceptions, all of the members of this subfamily are either terrestrial or saxicolous...
subfamily, but modern cladistic and DNA
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
analysis has revealed them as a member of Tillandsioideae, most closely related to the Guzmania
Guzmania
Guzmania is a genus of the botanical family Bromeliaceae, subfamily Tillandsioideae. The genus name is for Anastasio Guzman, Spanish pharmacist and naturalist.Several species of this genus are cultivated as indoor and outdoor garden plants...
and Mezobromelia
Mezobromelia
Mezobromelia is a genus of the botanical family Bromeliaceae, subfamily Tillandsioideae. The genus name is for Carl Christian Mez, German botanist .The species of this genus are rare in cultivation. They are native to Colombia and Ecuador....
generas. The only two species of this plant described to date are G. penduliflora and G. erectiflora, both common to the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
. Among tank bromeliads they are noted as being able to store the most water, up to five gallons, providing a water source for other biota (with special reference to the environmentally sensitive El Tucuche Golden Tree Frog - Phyllodytes auratus
Phyllodytes auratus
Phyllodytes auratus is a species of frog in the Hylidae family.It is endemic to the island of Trinidad in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago....
).
Species
- Glomeropitcairnia erectifloraGlomeropitcairnia erectifloraGlomeropitcairnia erectiflora is a species of the genus Glomeropitcairnia. This species is native to Venezuela and to the island of Trinidad. On Trinidad, it is used by the El Tucuche Golden Tree Frog Phytotriades auratus as a refuge and nesting site.-References:* retrieved 3 November 2009...
Mez - Glomeropitcairnia penduliflora (Grisebach) Mez