Bromeliaceae (the bromeliads) is a family of monocot* flowering plants of around 3,170 species native mainly to the tropical Americas, with a few species found in the American subtropics and one in tropical west Africa, Pitcairnia feliciana. The family includes both epiphytes, such as Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides), and terrestrial species, such as the pineapple (Ananas comosus). Many bromeliads are able to store water in a structure formed by their tightly-overlapping leaf bases. Plants of the family Bromeliaceae, usually have long stiff leaves, colorful flowers, and showy bracts.
* - Monocots are one of two major groups of flowering plants (or angiosperms) that are traditionally recognized, the other being dicots. Monocot seedlings typically have one cotyledon (seed-leaf), in contrast to the two cotyledons typical of dicots.
How Bromeliads Differ from Other Plants
Bromeliads are mainly tropical, rosette‑forming plants that differ from most other flowering plants in that they absorb their food and moisture largely through leaves rather than roots.
Bromeliads (airplants) are members of the family Bromeliaceae. These tropical or subtropical plants vary widely in shape and size. Even species of a single genus often differ drastically in appearance. Most bromeliads, however, are alike in being stemless, with strap‑shaped, leathery, arching leaves arranged in a rosette, and with a central flower spike on a relatively long stalk.
Many bromeliads have leaves capable of absorbing airborne plant food in addition to any that may be taken in through the roots. Even the minute scales that cover the leaves of some types are themselves able to take in food materials and moisture. In fact, many bromeliads have entirely ceased to rely on roots for their nourishment. Such plants now either produce no roots or use the few that they do produce as anchorage rather than for feeding.
The majority of bromeliads are epiphytic, living on the trunks and branches of trees. Some are lithophytic, attaching themselves to rocks. The rest grow in the ground as most plants do. Within the same genus there are sometimes tree‑dwelling, ground-dwelling, and rock‑dwelling species. In fact, epiphytic and terrestrial bromeliads can often thrive equally well if forced to switch places and life styles. It is this ability, in particular, that allows some epiphytic kinds to be grown in pots like most other plants.
How to Identify a Bromeliad
1. Look at where the bromeliad grows. This can help you narrow the field concerning its type. Some bromeliads, called terrestrial bromeliads, grow right in the ground. Other types, called epiphytic bromeliads, grow on the trunk and branches of trees. Lithophytic bromeliads grow on the surface of rocks.
2. Notice how the leaves grow on the plant. Bromeliads can have many kinds of plant structures, but they generally have a flower stalk growing from the center of the leaf rosette.
* - Monocots are one of two major groups of flowering plants (or angiosperms) that are traditionally recognized, the other being dicots. Monocot seedlings typically have one cotyledon (seed-leaf), in contrast to the two cotyledons typical of dicots.
How Bromeliads Differ from Other Plants
Bromeliads are mainly tropical, rosette‑forming plants that differ from most other flowering plants in that they absorb their food and moisture largely through leaves rather than roots.
Bromeliads (airplants) are members of the family Bromeliaceae. These tropical or subtropical plants vary widely in shape and size. Even species of a single genus often differ drastically in appearance. Most bromeliads, however, are alike in being stemless, with strap‑shaped, leathery, arching leaves arranged in a rosette, and with a central flower spike on a relatively long stalk.
Many bromeliads have leaves capable of absorbing airborne plant food in addition to any that may be taken in through the roots. Even the minute scales that cover the leaves of some types are themselves able to take in food materials and moisture. In fact, many bromeliads have entirely ceased to rely on roots for their nourishment. Such plants now either produce no roots or use the few that they do produce as anchorage rather than for feeding.
The majority of bromeliads are epiphytic, living on the trunks and branches of trees. Some are lithophytic, attaching themselves to rocks. The rest grow in the ground as most plants do. Within the same genus there are sometimes tree‑dwelling, ground-dwelling, and rock‑dwelling species. In fact, epiphytic and terrestrial bromeliads can often thrive equally well if forced to switch places and life styles. It is this ability, in particular, that allows some epiphytic kinds to be grown in pots like most other plants.
How to Identify a Bromeliad
1. Look at where the bromeliad grows. This can help you narrow the field concerning its type. Some bromeliads, called terrestrial bromeliads, grow right in the ground. Other types, called epiphytic bromeliads, grow on the trunk and branches of trees. Lithophytic bromeliads grow on the surface of rocks.
2. Notice how the leaves grow on the plant. Bromeliads can have many kinds of plant structures, but they generally have a flower stalk growing from the center of the leaf rosette.
3. Examine the leaf shape and texture. The leaves of bromeliads have a wide variety of shapes and textures which help to distinguish one species or genus from another.
4. Determine flower shape and color. Bromeliads have a vast array of different flower shapes and colors. Flower shape and color is often the best way to determine what species of bromeliad you are trying to identify. Unfortunately, many times a bromeliad will not be flowering at the time of observation, which makes identification by leaves the best way to learn how to identify bromeliads.
Identified Bromeliad Species
4. Determine flower shape and color. Bromeliads have a vast array of different flower shapes and colors. Flower shape and color is often the best way to determine what species of bromeliad you are trying to identify. Unfortunately, many times a bromeliad will not be flowering at the time of observation, which makes identification by leaves the best way to learn how to identify bromeliads.
Identified Bromeliad Species
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| Tillandsia ionantha |
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| Aechmea bracteata |
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| Tillandsia balbisiana |
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| Tillandsia bulbosa |
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| Ananas comosus |
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| Catopsis berteroniana |
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| Tillandsia streptophylla |
