PITCAIRNIA. 89 



21. Bakeria, Ed. Andre. 



Perianth inserted above the middle of the ovary ; sepals small, 

 ovate ; petals obloDg, much longer than the sepals. IStamens as 

 long as the petals ; filaments linear ; anthers small, oblong, 

 versatile. Ovary more than half inferior, clavate-trigonous, 3- 

 celled ; ovules many, superposed ; style and stigmas very short, not 

 twisted. Capsule dry, small, clavate-trigonous, septicidally 3-valved 

 at the apex. Seeds not seen. — Intermediate between Brocchinia 

 and Cottendorjia. 



1. B. TiLLANDSioiDES Andre in Eev. Hort. 1889, 84, with 

 coloured figure. — Acaulescent. Leaves densely rosulate, spreading, 

 ensiform, acuminate, 6-8 in. long, |- in. broad low down, convolute 

 in the upper half, moderately firm in texture, entire, white -lepidote 

 on both sm'faces. Peduncle slender, about as long as the leaves. 

 Inflorescence a lax panicle a foot long, with several ascending or 

 spreading racemose branches 2-3 in. long; branch-bracts small, 

 ovate, scariose; flower-bracts minute, lanceolate; pedicels spreading, 

 ^ in. long. Inferior portion of ovary -^ in. long ; sepals scariose, 

 as long as the ovary ; petals oblong, obtuse, f in. long, tinged with 

 purple, with 5-7 distinct lax brownish vertical nerves. Eachises 

 and ovary naked. 



Hab. Probably Brazil. Described from a plant flowered at Le Fresne, May , 

 1888, by M. A. de la Devansaye. We have had it at Kew for many years, but it 

 did not flower till Sept. 1888. 



22. PiTCAiRNiA VHerit. 



Calyx generally with a short tube adnate to the base of the 

 ovary ; segments long, lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate. Petals 

 free, much longer than the calyx, with a narrow limb and a long 

 claw, usually minutely scaled at the base. Stamens inserted with 

 the petals at the summit of the calyx-tube ; filaments long, fili- 

 form or slightly flattened ; anthers linear, almost basifixed. Ovary 

 generally free except at the base, ampullaeform, 3-celled; ovules 

 many, superposed ; style long, filiform ; stigmas linear, contorted. 

 Capsule with 3 septicidal valves. Seeds numerous, minute, flattened, 

 generally tailed at both ends, in subgenera 5-8 not tailed but 

 furnished with a broad horny border. — Habit and leaves very 

 variable, the latter linear, lanceolate, rarely oblong, sometimes 

 distinctly petioled, usually thin in texture for the order. Peduncle 

 central; racemes simple or panicled ; bracts small or large. 

 Flowers usually bright red, sometimes white, yellow or blue. One 

 section has entirely the habit of Puya, differing only by the septi- 

 cidal dehiscence of the capsule. 



Subgenus Pitcairnia proper. — Flowers generally bright red, 

 racemose. Leaves chartaceous. Seeds tailed at each end. 



Group of P. bronielimfolia. — Leaves linear, spine-margined, 

 furfuraceous beneath. Flowers brip^ht red. 



