Aechmea distichantha

{{Short description|Species of flowering plant}}

{{Speciesbox

|image = Aechmea_distichantha_001.jpg

|genus = Aechmea

|parent = Aechmea subg. Platyaechmea

|species = distichantha

|authority = Lem.

|synonyms_ref =

|synonyms = *Billbergia distichostachya Lem.

• Billbergia polystachya Lindl. & Paxton
• Platyaechmea distichantha (Lem.) L.B.Sm. & W.J.Kress
• Quesnelia disticantha (Lem.) Lindm.
• Hoplophytum distichanthum (Lem.) Beer
• Hohenbergia distichantha (Lem.) Baker
• Aechmea distichantha var. typica L.B.Sm.
• Tillandsia polystachia Vell.
• Billbergia polystachia Lindl. & Paxton
• Hoplophytum polystachium (Lindl. & Paxton) Beer
• Aechmea hookeri Lem.
• Aechmea excavata Baker
• Aechmea brasiliensis Regel
• Aechmea myriophylla E.Morren ex Baker
• Aechmea microphylla Mez
• Aechmea polystachia (Lindl. & Paxton) Mez
• Nidularium hydrophorum Rojas
• Aechmea platyphylla Hassl.
• Aechmea glaziovii Baker
• Hoiriri polystachya (Baker) Kuntze
• Platyaechmea distichantha var. glaziovii (Baker) L.B.Sm. & W.J.Kress
• Aechmea minor E.Morren
• Aechmea pulchella E.Morren ex Mez
• Aechmea regelii Mez
• Chevaliera grandiceps Griseb.
• Aechmea grandiceps (Griseb.) Mez
• Aechmea rubra Silveira
• Aechmea involucrifera Mez

}}

Aechmea distichantha, the Brazilian vaseplant, or vase plant, is a bromeliad typical of Cerrado vegetation in Brazil, which is also native to northern Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay.[http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/namedetail.do?name_id=217928 Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families]Versieux, L.M. & Wendt, T. (2006). Checklist of Bromeliaceae of Minas Gerais, Brazil, with notes on taxonomy and endemism. Selbyana 27: 107-146.Sant'Ana Melhem, T., das Graças Lapa Wanderley, M., Ehlin Martins, S., Jung-Mendaçolli, S.L., Shepherd, G.J. & Kirizawa, M. (eds.) (2007). Flora Fanerogâmica do Estado de São Paulo 5: 1-476. Instituto de Botânica, São Paulo.Martinelli, G., Magalhães Vieira, C., Gonzalez, M., Leitman, P., Piratininga, A. Ferreira da Costa, A. & Campostrini Forzza, R. (2008). Bromeliaceae da Mata Atlântica Brasileira: lista de espécies, distribuição e conservação. Rodriguésia; Revista do Instituto de Biologia Vegetal, Jardim Botânico e Estaçao Biologica do Itatiaya 59: 209-258.Versieux, L.M., Wendt, T., Batista Louzada, R. & das Graças Lapa Wanderley, M. (2008 publ. 2009). Bromeliaceae da Cadeia do Espinhaço. Megadiversidade 4: 98-110. This plant is often used as an ornamental plant.

The following varieties are recognized:

1. Aechmea distichantha var. distichantha - Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay
2. Aechmea distichantha var. glaziovii (Baker) L.B.Sm.(1943) - southeastern Brazil
3. Aechmea distichantha var. schlumbergeri E.Morren ex Mez (1892) - Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay
4. Aechmea distichantha var. vernicosa E.Pereira (1979) - Rio de Janeiro State