Orthophytum subg. Clavanthus Leme, S. Heller & Zizka (2017: 73)

Leme, Elton M. C., Ribeiro, Otávio B. C., Souza, Fernanda Vidigal D., Souza, Everton Hilo De, Kollmann, Ludovic J. C. & Fontana, André P., 2020, Miscellaneous new species in the “ Cryptanthoid complex ” (Bromeliaceae: Bromelioideae) from Eastern Brazil, Phytotaxa 430 (3), pp. 157-202 : 193

6. Orthophytum subg. Clavanthus Leme, S. Heller & Zizka (2017: 73)

Orthophytum subg. Clavanthus is characterized by the presence of subflabellate-pulvinate flower fascicles, larger flowers compared to other subgenera, petals linear-spathulate and obtuse-cucullate, erect and forming a clavate corolla, petal appendages scutelliform or rarely sacciform, and the stamens not exposed. In addition, subg. Clavanthus presents a distinct geographical range limited to the central-northern Espinhaço Range in Minas Gerais state, growing in the southern part of the Meridional Plateau and extending through the Diamantina Plateau to the Septentrional Plateau near the border with Bahia state, at altitudes of 650 to 1300 m. It currently comprises nine species, including the new ones described here.