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"This is an interesting story because despite Reitz in 1965 saying this plant differed from Aechmea organensis L.B. Smith treated it as a synonym!! (See Flora Neotropica page1874) Reference to Reitz's book on "Bromeliaceas in Santa Catarina" 1983 page 389 reveals some interesting insights if you understand Portuguese! He says that the difference between his plant and the type species for Aechmea caudata is clear blue petals with strong blue tips. However, if we read further we find that this plant differs from A. organensis by the thickness and colour of the scape and the ovary being a healthy reddish-orange compared to the wine-red.
Both Peter Franklin and myself have spent hours trying to fathom out the
intricacies of this sub-genus of Aechmea called Ortgiesia. We believe that
this plant should have been given species status when it was first named
rather than having it shunted between A. caudata and A. organensis. The Australian plant has been viewed by Harry Luther without query and I believe is very close to this named variety. The plant featured in Pamela Koide's Bird Rock Tropicals has me worried because it looks similar to the problem with 'Dereks organensis Ha Ha' Without the Ha Ha. Comments please.
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