Orthophytum guerkenii seeds grow into a lithophytic bromeliad endemic to the wet tropical biome of Minas Gerais state, Brazil. The accepted spelling in current taxonomy is Orthophytum gurkenii Hutchison (1959), sometimes listed as ‘guerkenii’ in trade. Named after German botanist M. Gurke. A lithophyte growing on exposed rock surfaces in the Atlantic Forest zone of Minas Gerais anchoring itself to bare rocky substrates in the humid tropical highland forests. A member of subfamily Bromelioideae forming a rock-anchored rosette of stiff, spiny-margined leaves. The genus Orthophytum means ‘straight plant’ (Greek orthos = straight + phyton = plant), comprising ~45 species mostly endemic to the rocky landscapes of eastern Brazil. Family Bromeliaceae.

Bright indirect light; well-drained rocky or gritty substrate; moderate humidity; warm subtropical to tropical conditions. Suited to lithophytic culture on rough rock or tufa.

• Lithophyte on exposed rock surfaces; accepted spelling: O. gurkenii (not ‘guerkenii’)
• Stiff spiny-margined leaves; rock-anchoring bromeliad; subfamily Bromelioideae
• Brazil (Minas Gerais) wet tropical biome; Atlantic Forest rocky highland endemic
• Named after botanist M. Gurke; ‘Orthophytum’ = straight plant (Greek)
• Bright indirect light; rocky substrate; warm subtropical; Family Bromeliaceae

Orthophytum guerkenii is a lithophytic bromeliad from the rocky Atlantic Forest highlands of Minas Gerais anchoring to bare rock surfaces in the Brazilian wet tropics, representative of the diverse terrestrial and lithophytic Orthophytum flora of Brazil’s eastern highland regions.

IMPORTANT: Pictures show the adult plant, which is not for sale. The offer is only for seeds.