Encholirium biflorum

The genus Encholirium is related to Dyckia and often these share the same habitat. Therefore, Encholiriums are perfect companion plants to be grown alongside with Dyckias. Encholirium biflorum (Mez) Forzza is a poorly known species from the region around Diamantina, Minas Gerais. The plants shown here were grown from seeds and have not flowered yet, so confirmation of the name is still pending. I haven’t found any pictures of living plants on the web. If you have or know of any, please let me know. There are pictures of herbarium specimens conserved at the Herbarium Berolinense showing plants that look consistent to mine.

This is a very small plant. To give you an idea: The diameter of the inner pot on the top photo is only 11 cm! And this species isn’t expected to grow much bigger. Thus a great addition for those interested in small terrestrial bromeliads. Interestingly, there is a certain resemblance to a Dyckia species known from the same region, namely Dyckia macedoi.

Follow this link to see Encholirium biflorum (Mez) Forzza at the Herbarium Berolinense.