Aechmea 'Blackie' (Burle Marx)

cultivar of nudicaulis

BSI Reg. #5867

Aechmea nudicaulis 'Blackie' or 'Burle Marx'? I acquired a clone of 'Blackie' thru Michaels Bromeliads and this clone at a sale. Tropiflora had offered 'Burle Marx' thru their Cargo Report some time back. The FCBS pictures aren't much help here and 'Burle Marx' is not a registered clone type. This clone is actually deeper colored than my 'Blackie' clone!

Per the BSI Registry for 'Blackie': 'cv. of nudicaulis. Brought into cultivation by Burle Marx'

Are they one and the same? Anybody have a clue on this one? Ya know I've probably answered my own question with this one. But feedback is always nice.

Cheers, Greg - PSJPlants - Brevard County, FL (Space Coast)

• 04/10/08 I talked with a couple people on the naming of this plant. The bromeliad on the FCBS site shown by John Boardman had been acquired from Dot McNulty, a long time bromeliad grower, that originated from the garden of Burle Marx. The unregistered clone was being nicknamed 'Blackie' at the time. However showing an unregistered clone usually brings about the requirements for naming and registration so the fall back was between 'Blackie' and 'Burle Marx(ii)". So we now have a couple of names floating around with the probability that they are the same clone type. I'll grow both of my clones side by side to see the results.

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