Encholirium ctenophyllum

This new species of bromeliad, with comb-like leaves, was discovered during conservation-based fieldwork in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Encholirium ctenophyllum
Encholirium ctenophyllum

Species information

  • Scientific name: Encholirium ctenophyllum Forzza & Zappi
  • Conservation status: Rated by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) as Vulnerable (D2).
  • Habitat: Campos rupestres (montane subtropical savanna), at 1,000 to 1,200 m above sea level, on or amongst inclined arenitic/quartzitic rocks.
  • Known hazards: The leaves of this species have long spines at the edges.

Taxonomy

  • Class: Equisetopsida
  • Subclass: Magnoliidae
  • Superorder: Lilianae
  • Order: Poales
  • Family: Bromeliaceae
  • Genus: Encholirium

About this species

Encholirium ctenophyllum is a newly discovered species of bromeliad with comb-like leaves, and occurs in a very specific habitat, within an area of less than 10 km2. The population of this species is just 10 to 12 km away from another new species (E. agavoides). These two species are cut off from one another by the steep descent to the gorge of the Rio das Pedras. This river divides the municipalities of Santana de Pirapama (where E. agavoides is found) and Santana do Riacho (where E. ctenophyllum occurs).

Geography & Distribution

Encholirium ctenophyllum is restricted to the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. It is a narrow endemic (found in a very limited area), occurring only on the west slope of the Serra do Cipó. This species is found at 1,000 to 1,200 m above sea level, in populations growing on top of, or amongst, inclined arenitic/quartzitic rocks. This species is found growing alongside Cipocereus pleurocarpus, Vellozia spp. and Encholirium subsecundum.

Of the 23 species of Encholirium, nine are restricted to the ‘campos rupestres’ of the Cadeia do Espinhaço in Minas Gerais, and seven of these are narrow endemics in the region of Diamantina and Serra do Cipó. The discovery of more narrowly endemic species in this relatively well explored area of the Cadeia do Espinhaço highlights the complexity of the micro-habitats and the high plant diversity and endemism of the ‘campos rupestres’.

Description

This species has rosettes of leaves up to 12 cm wide, with long leaves that are recurved (curved backwards). The leaves are silvery to reddish in colour, triangular in shape and have long spines along the edges. The green to yellowish flowers are borne in terminal spikes, and are densely packed at the end of the inflorescence. The fruits are brown and capsular, with minute seeds. This species is thought to be pollinated by insects, and the seeds dispersed by the wind.

Threats & Conservation

This plant is a narrow endemic (occurs only in a very limited area) and is hence vulnerable to climate change, fire and habitat destruction.

Useful Links

Tropical America - find out more about Kew's conservation work in this region

Kew science teams: Drylands - Tropical America

Search Kew's science databases for more information on this species

References & Credits

Giulietti, A. M., Harley, R. M., Queiroz, L. P., Wanderley, M. G. L., Pirani, J. R. (2000). Caracterização e endemismos nos campos rupestres da Cadeia do Espinhaço. In Tópicos Atuais de Botânica (T.B. Cavalcanti & B.M.T. Walter, eds.). EMBRAPA Recursos Genéticos, Brasília, p.311-318.

Kew Science Editor: Daniela Zappi
Kew contributors: Nigel Taylor
Copy editing: Emma Tredwell
Kew would like to thank the following contributors: Rafaela Forzza (curator, Herbarium of the Jardim Botânico, Rio de Janeiro), Charles Frewen, Renato de Mello-Silva.

While every effort has been taken to ensure that the information contained in these pages is reliable and complete, the notes on hazards, edibility and suchlike included here are recorded information and do not constitute recommendations. No responsibility will be taken for readers’ own actions. Full website terms and conditions.

Follow Kew

Keep up to date with events and news from Kew

Sign up to Kew News
 

Related Species

 

This species belongs to...

Fact Box


Erythrina senegalensis

Erythrina senegalensis
coral tree

The coral tree has nothing to do with coral reefs – the name comes from the stunning bright red colour of the flowers, which appear in profusion on the tree when it is still without leaves.

Find out more about this species

Related Tags

  1. clever
  2. extraordinary
  3. healing
  4. valuable
  5. unusual
  6. scarce
  7. newly discovered
  8. rare
  9. amazing
  10. beautiful
  11. inspiring
  12. landscapes
  13. collectable
  14. medicinal
  15. rare
  16. interesting
  17. discovered
  18. old
  19. around the world
  20. adventurous
  21. ancient
  22. historical
  23. agriculture
  24. ancient
  25. flowering
  26. ornamental
  27. of use
  28. edible
  29. new
  30. wild
  31. passionate
  32. big
  33. weed
  34. common
  35. tasty
  36. mysterious
  37. massive
  38. fruity
  39. pretty
  40. endangered
  41. irreplaceable
  42. ground breaking
  43. exotic
  44. dangerous
  45. poisonous
  46. creative
  47. fun
  48. imaginative
  49. popular
  50. fragrant
  51. spiky
  52. vibrant
  53. essential
  54. garden plants
  55. english garden

Plants & Fungi blogs from Kew

RSS Feed for the blog Millennium Seed Bank blog

Durian - the king of fruit

by: Wolfgang Stuppy, Millennium Seed Bank blog
03 Jun 2013
The southeast Asian plant Durian has been called the King of Fruits but, like Marmite, it sharply divides opinion between those who love the incredible taste of its custard-like pulp and those who are revolted by its putrid smell.
RSS Feed for the blog GIS team blog

Mapping Coffee in Ethiopia part two

by: Paul Little, GIS team blog
08 May 2013
Kew photographer Paul Little has just returned from accompanying a field trip to the Highlands of Ethiopia to research the impact of climate change on the vital coffee crop. Read part two of his diary of the trip.
RSS Feed for the blog Millennium Seed Bank blog

Seed collecting on Mount Kilimanjaro

by: Emma Williams, Millennium Seed Bank blog
18 Apr 2013
Kew Gardens botanist Emma Williams recounts her experiences on a recent seed collecting expedition to Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

Kew News Alert

All Kew News

Incredibles
See your favourite reasons to visit