Macambiras, the most northeastern of the xerophiles: taxonomy, distribution and potential

Abstract

Bromelia laciniosa and Encholirium spectabile (Bromeliaceae) have vernacular names as macambira. Both species are restricted to the Northeast of Brazil, mainly in the Caatinga domain or in ecotonal regions with the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado. Macambira species have been reported for different uses in rural communities, ranging from ornamental plants, hedges, human and animal food, medicinal application, and raw material to manufacture handicrafts and utensils, besides ecological interaction with different animals. This study aims to present the taxonomic description, distribution data, habitat, phenology, taxonomic comments, and potential uses of B. laciniosa and E. spectabile. Bromelia laciniosa belonging to the subfamily Bromelioideae and Encholirium spectabile belongs to the subfamily Pitcairnioideae. Both species are xerophilous; i.e, they have morphological and physiological structures adapted to the semiarid climate. Bromelia laciniosa is a terrestrial species and can also inhabit rocky outcrops where organic matter is found, whereas Encholirium spectabile is a strictly rupicolous species. Given the importance of the species to the Northeast of Brazil, macambiras are also reported in visual arts, literary works, song lyrics, family surnames, nicknames, names of municipality, villages, riverside, waterfalls, and a scientific journal.

Keywords

• bromelia laciniosa
• bromeliaceae
• encholirium spectabile
• use potential
• caatinga