Cryptanthus
(from krypto, to hide, and anthos, a flower; the flowers are nearly buried among the bracts). SYN. Pholidophyllum. ORD. Bromeliaceae. A genus of stove perennials, epiphytal in a wild state. For culture, &c., see Billbergia.
C. acaulis (stemless). fl. white, in a central, sub-sessile cluster. l. lanceolate, wavy, recurved, dark green, scaly. Brazil, 1826. Plant dwarf, caespitose. SYN. Tillandsia acaulis. (B. R. 1157.) C. bivittatus (two-striped). fl. white. l. spreading, recurved, about 9in. long and 1in. to 1 1/2in. broad, rather undulate, acutely toothed at the margin; under surface dull brown, upper green, with two broad buff longitudinal bands, which pass into dull red at the base of the leaf. Tropical America, 1859. SYN. Billbergia bivittata. (B. M. 5270.)