'Auntie Margaret Queries'

Neoregelia seideliana

Margaret Butcher
Margaret Butcher
 Seed for this species was offered in April/May 1987 and Keith Bradtberg had success in germinating a few. All grew up as, well, non-descript plants and when you read the description on page 1578 of Smith and Downs this does not inspire either! All plants grew up similar and at anthesis they all made a half-hearted attempt to colour up in the centre. Keith let us have one to dissect and it seemed to agree with all the criteria written down in the description except it was 20% smaller overall!

Neoregelia seidelianaNeoregelia seideliana flower This information stayed on file while the offsets grew apace and when these flowered they were 20% larger overall! The plant had more colour this time round which we put down to cultural conditions.(See photos) Of course, no-one wanted Neoregelia seideliana, species or not!

Late in 1998 we flowered yet another Neoregelia seideliana, only this time it seemed that the plant had been imported instead of the seed being imported. However, no-one owned up so we do not know whether it came in via Brazil or the USA. All we know is that it now has the code JG17061. (see photos).

Neoregelia JG17061 Neoregelia JG17061 close-up Neoregelia JG17061 flower
This plant clearly turns red in the centre at anthesis, is smaller than the description, has a much reduced pedicel and the sepal has an enormous lobe on one side. Perhaps it is a species but it does not link with the written description of Neoregelia seideliana.

Whenever we get a problem like this we refer it to a botanist who specialises in that particular field. Experience has shown us that if you get an answer in a month the question was easy to answer. If it takes more than six months you have asked a humdinger!

In this case we referred all information to Elton Leme in December 1998, some 4 months ago, which indicates that this plant is not a usual N.seideliana! We have never seen a photograph of Neoregelia seideliana in any Book or Journal, but if you have any information please advise.

Auntie Margaret            

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Photo Credits:
All photos by Derek Butcher

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