Ever since Lyman Smith made N. chlorosticta a variety of N. sarmentosa and then changed his mind I have wondered about the accuracy of the written description in Smith and Downs. If you have ever dissected a Neoregelia inflorescence you will know that there is very little difference from one species to another. When you take in cultural differences and how size ratios vary depending on whether the flower is on the outside of the inflorescence or closer the middle, things become challenging.
In this particular case Lyman Smith says sepals green but a painting by Margaret Mee of N. sarmentosa shows red sepals!
) Neo sarmentosa 'Yellow Bird' |
We are going to show you both. The closest to the written description was a plant imported from the USA as N. sarmentosa 'Yellow Bird'. Perhaps it was to distinguish it from all the others which were not really N. sarmentosa! Whatever, it is a N. sarmentosa. |
 Neo sarmentosa 'Yellow Bird' flower |
We'll even show you a N. sarmentosa which came to us as "small" N. cruenta from Bob Whitman of Cryptanthus fame.
So take your pick as to true identification. We think we have got as close as we can get."
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