Dyckia reitzii ...

 

Dyckia reitzii was named after  Pe. Raulino Reitz.
He was a Brazilian Catholic priest, a Botanist, Professor, Politician and more...He was a bromeliad enthusiast.

 

This is the type form and the plant used for description of the species!
This plant was kept by a Raulino Reitz friend in Rio Grande do Sul, Dr. Jones Caldas another bromeliad enthusiast. Have you heard about Dyckia jonesiana?

 

 

These two plants are recovering  from ice cold burn.
In nature they are used to frosts and snow and when frosts are severe they get damaged.
Dyckia reitzii live on high mountains.
Now we know Dyckia reitzii has a more ample distribution.
Its natural original place is around the border of Santa Catarina state to Rio Grande do Sul State.
It is also found on top of  some mountains in Paraná, close to where I live in Santa Catarina and now guess what? It was found, or something very close to it , up north in Espírito Santo Sate.
One thing is sure, if it does not freeze in winter Dyckia reitzii won´t be found in nature.
 

 

 

 .