''Wittrockia'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

of plants in the

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

Bromeliaceae The Bromeliaceae (the bromeliads) are a family of monocot Monocotyledons (), commonly referred to as monocots, (Lilianae ''sensu'' Chase & Reveal) are grass and grass-like flowering plants (angiosperms), the seeds of which typically contain o ...

, subfamily

Bromelioideae Bromelioideae is a subfamily of the bromeliads ( Bromeliaceae). This subfamily is the most diverse, represented by the greatest number of genera with about 40. Most of the plants in this group are epiphytes, though some have evolved in, or will a ...

. The genus name is for

Veit Brecher Wittrock Veit Brecher Wittrock (5 May 1839 at district of Dalsland – 1 September 1914 in Stockholm) was a Swedish botanist known for his work in the field of phycology and for his research of the genus ''Viola''. Biography From 1857 to 1865 he stu ...

, a Swedish botanist (1839-1914).Bromeliad Society International
read on line
/ref> These plants are native to

Central America Central America ( es, América Central or ) is a subregion of the Americas. Its boundaries are defined as bordering the United States to the north, Colombia to the south, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west. ...

and

South America South America is a continent entirely in the Western Hemisphere and mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere at the northern tip of the continent. It can also be described as the southe ...

. Many species are

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsew ...

to the Atlantic Forest biome (''Mata Atlantica Brasileira''), located in southeastern

Brazil Brazil ( pt, Brasil; ), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: ), is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At and with over 217 million people, Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country by area ...

.DPI.inpe.br: "BROMELIACEAE da MATA ATLÂNTICA BRASILEIRA: Lista de ESPÉCIES, DISTRIBUIÇÃO e CONSERVAÇÃO"
''Rodriguésia 59'', February 2008; ppg 209−258; article−, abstract− species lists−. accessed 30 May 2016.

Description

''Wittrockia'' is large among bromeliad genera, producing long, glossy leaves armed with sharp spines. Forming rosettes over 1 meter in diameter, the foliage may contain various colors of spots and banding, depending on species. Their

inflorescence An inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch or a complicated arrangement of branches. Morphologically, it is the modified part of the shoot of seed plants where flowers are formed o ...

blooms deep in the vase where the plant catches water.

Species

* ''

Wittrockia cyathiformis ''Wittrockia cyathiformis'' is a plant species in the genus ''Wittrockia''. The bromeliad is endemic to the Atlantic Forest biome (''Mata Atlantica Brasileira''), located in southeastern Brazil Brazil ( pt, Brasil; ), officially the Fed ...

'' (Vellozo) Leme * ''

Wittrockia flavipetala ''Wittrockia'' is a genus of plants in the family Bromeliaceae, subfamily Bromelioideae. The genus name is for Veit Brecher Wittrock, a Swedish botanist (1839-1914).Bromeliad Society International read on line/ref> These plants are native to C ...

'' (Wand.) Leme & H.Luther * ''

Wittrockia gigantea ''Wittrockia gigantea'' is a plant species in the genus ''Wittrockia''. The bromeliad is endemic to the Atlantic Forest biome (''Mata Atlantica Brasileira''), located in southeastern Brazil.Wittrockia paulistana ''Wittrockia paulistana'' is a plant species in the genus ''Wittrockia''. This species is endemic to Brazil. The bromeliad is endemic to the Atlantic Forest biome (''Mata Atlantica Brasileira'') and to São Paulo (state), located in southeaste ...

'' Leme * ''

Wittrockia spiralipetala ''Wittrockia spiralipetala'' is a plant species in the genus ''Wittrockia''. The bromeliad is endemic to the Atlantic Forest biome (''Mata Atlantica Brasileira'') and to Rio de Janeiro state, located in southeastern Brazil Brazil ( pt, ...

'' Leme * ''

Wittrockia superba ''Wittrockia superba'' is a plant species in the genus ''Wittrockia''. The bromeliad is endemic to the Atlantic Forest biome (''Mata Atlantica Brasileira''), located in southeastern Brazil. It is native within Paraná (state), Rio de Janeiro ...

'' Lindman * ''

Wittrockia tenuisepala ''Wittrockia tenuisepala'' is a plant species in the genus ''Wittrockia''. This bromeliad is endemic to the Atlantic Forest biome (''Mata Atlantica Brasileira'') within Minas Gerais state, located in southeastern Brazil Brazil ( pt, Bra ...

'' (Leme) Leme

Cultivation

''Wittrockia'' species are adaptable to varying climates and light exposure. Their attractive foliage has made them popular in cultivation as an

ornamental plant Ornamental plants or garden plants are plants that are primarily grown for their beauty but also for qualities such as scent or how they shape physical space. Many flowering plants and garden varieties tend to be specially bred cultivars that i ...

References

External links

Florida Council of Bromeliad Societies - Wittrockia PhotosBSI Genera Gallery
Wittrockia Photos {{Taxonbar, from=Q8028637 Flora of Brazil Flora of Central America Flora of South America Bromeliaceae genera