Aechmea smithiorum

Subgenus - Platyaechmea

Taxon # 40-119

Will the real Aechmea serrata please stand up! 

I'd acquired this clone from a respected Florida nursery. The pictures on the FCBS site show approximately this same clone type. Bromeliads in Australia shows this clone type. But the Aechmea ssp table description for serrata reads 'serrated primary bracts'. And for smithiorum reads 'usually misidentified as the closely related A. serrata'. I don't have access to the reference Luther, H.E. 1995 Misnamed bromeliads No. 15 Aechmea smithiorum. JBS45:26 however I have heard the quip that "most of the serrata clones in Central Florida are probably smithiorum."

After looking at my bloom and the pictures available I'd say it's not just Central Florida. However I would like to see pictures of the serrations in question. Anybody have a link or pictures to share on the FCBS site that will positively I.D. serrata?

06/14/08 I was sent pictures of a serrata that looked very similar to this bloom with the exception the primary bracts were indeed serrated.

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

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