Bromeliaceae is a large industrial plant family , with more than 50 genus and over 3,000 known species . An extremely divers group , bromeliads can be tiny miniatures or large giants . They might look like a yucca industrial plant or unripened grass , cater comestible fruit like the pineapple plant or flow from tree ( Spanish moss ) . They come from unlike mood as well .
Bromeliad Characteristics
Despite their divers appearance , bromeliads have a few common characteristics . First , all are tropical or sub - tropic plants , although a few can allow temperatures just above freeze for a unforesightful clip . Second , all have leaves arrange in a coiling fashion called a rosette . In some the leaf base overlaps and form a body of water artificial lake . Finally , they all have tiny ordered series on their leaves – called trichomes – for water supply soaking up .
Bromeliad Habitats
Bromeliads are almost exclusively found in the New World tropical zone and subtropics – one coinage is native to West Africa . The absolute majority come from South America . depend on the mixed bag , they may raise at altitudes from sea horizontal surface to 14,000 feet . Some grow in hot wry deserts , while others favor moist rainforests . Some bromeliads are also discover in cooler mountain region . Many are used ashouseplantsor maturate outside in USDA Zones 9 and above .
Growth Habits
Bromeliads belong to to one of three main group . Some specie may have two growth patterns . The main groups are :
The Pineapple
The most well - bang bromeliad is probably the pineapple plant ( Ananas comosus ) . Columbus bring specimen back to Spain in 1493 after finding it in the West Indies . This lucullan tropical fruit quick spread into region where it could be naturalise , like India . The pineapple is one of the bromeliads that arise in the ground , and is the only one that produces an edible fruit .
Bromeliad Flowers
In most cases , bromeliads only blossom once . Some flowers are so small or invisible that they are not obtrusive , but the flora ’s leave-taking may be extremely colorful . Others are dramatic and might tower 30 feet in the aviation . bloom may last a workweek or two or as long as a yr . Bloomsmay be fragrant or unscented . Once the industrial plant has flowered , it develops offset screw aspups .
Bromeliad Uses
Many bromeliads are used as houseplants , particularly those with coloured or patterned leaves . Tillandsias ( line plants ) , Guzmanias , Aechmeas and Vriesias are pronto available . Some do better in sun rooms or greenhouses , others make good windowsill plant . In addition the Caroa species is cultivated for roughage . Pineapple is also the source of bromelain , which is used to tenderise meat .
