Vriesea roberto-seidelii (Bromeliaceae): taxonomy, distribution, and conservation based on new records from the Atlantic Forest of Bahia, Espírito Santo, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Vriesea roberto-seidelii is redescribed based on new specimens from Espirito Santo and from Rio de Janeiro states. It is a poorly recorded species, currently represented only by a few incomplete specimens in Brazilian herbaria. Beside the limited taxonomic treatment, we show illustrated photos with additional material supplied to complement the morphology and geographical distribution. Although originally described as related to V. lancifolia , we believe that this taxon is morphologically more closely related to V. longiscapa, from which it can be distinguished by the size of the flowering plant, size of the inflorescence and peduncle, floral bract and petal characteristics. Our data also indicate that its provenance, as mentioned for the type specimen, is incorrect. Rather than occurring in rocky fields from Chapada Diamantina habitats, the species is confined to sandy coastal plain vegetation from southern Bahia, northern Espirito Santo, and Rio de Janeiro. Pictures of live specimens, updated distributional map, and additional specimens are presented.