Orthophytum rafaelii Leme, a species with immense horticultural appeal (Fig. 1), was described only three years ago (Leme & Kollmann 2011). It was published in the journal Phytotaxa; a journal that although readily accessible online, is far too expensive for most bromeliad growers _ even those interested in the more technical aspects of taxonomy. In any case, the species has been in cultivation in Florida for more than 2 years, so we have had enough time to gather photographs and preliminary cultural information. Now it seems appropriate to introduce this species to all BSI members and provide some background for those interested in adding the plant to their own collections.

A disclaimer is necessary. All descriptions herein are based on cultivated specimens that I have access to. Usually, I am only familiar with a single clone from any species, and have no way to know whether that clone is a good representative of the species in the wild. In addition, species grown under favorable conditions in cultivation may look very different from plants of the same species grown under less favorable conditions, or in different climates, and from plants in the wild. The discussions of differences between the species are likewise based on the clones available to me, and may prove to be incorrect when more clones become available for comparison.

Orthophytum rafaelii belongs to the subcomplex amoenum of the Orthophytum amoenum complex (Leme 2004b), a group also frequently called the 'sessile-flowered' group. Many bromeliad growers will be familiar with the closely related, more commonly cultivated species, O. navioides and O. burle-marxii. As with all other species of Orthophytum, O. rafaelii is terrestrial. In order to thrive, it must be planted in soil. Further characteristics shared by members of subcomplex amoenum are a thick, slow-growing, vertical stem that does not rise much, if at all, above the soil surface; a dense rosette of narrowly-triangular or linear leaves that are long relative to the width of the stem. This leaf rosette effectively conceals the stem if it does rise above the soil (as seems to be common in cultivation). This stem is terminated by a flat, 'pincushion' type inflorescence. Flowers are large and white (Fig. 2) with the bases of the petals tightly wrapped around each other forming an erect tube below while the petal tips are spreading and often perpendicular to the tube.

Leaves of Orthophytum rafaelii are stiff, but not as stiff as the leaves on some other members of subcomplex amoenum. Even old leaves are flexible enough to bend 90 degrees without any damage. These leaves grow to 25 cm (10 in) long and 6-7 mm (3/8 in) wide at the 'base'. This width measure is made without removing leaves from the plant, so it a short distance above the actual base of the blade. The upper surface of a leaf blade generally has a thin covering of peltate trichomes that is readily apparent on close inspection, but leaves still appear shiny under typical lighting conditions. A much...