Two new species of Cryptanthus (Bromelioideae, Bromeliaceae) from the Atlantic Forest of northeastern Brazil

Abstract

Two new species of Cryptanthus from the Atlantic Forest of northeastern Brazil are described and illustrated. Cryptanthus pirambuensis occurs in Sergipe State and is compared to C. alagoanus, C. pickelii and C. ruthiae, from which it differs mainly by the number of flowers in the apical cluster of the inflorescence and the number of flowers in the lateral clusters of the inflorescence. Cryptanthus vinosibracteatus was discovered in Bahia State and is morphologically similar to C. arelli, but it can be differentiated by the absence of trichomes on the adaxial surface of the leaf blades, length and color of the floral bracts and sepals, and length and connation of the petals. Geographic distribution data, including a map, photographs and comments are also provided for the new species.